Mycobacterial sulfation pathway proteins and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

Novel mycobacterial sulfation pathway proteins and polypeptides related thereto, as well as nucleic acid compositions encoding the same, are provided. The subject polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including research, diagnostic, and therapeutic agent screening applications. Also provided are methods of inhibiting growth and/or virulence of a pathogenic mycobacterium, and methods of treating disease conditions associated with a pathogenic mycobacterium, particularly by administering an inhibitor of a mycobacterial sulfation pathway protein. The present invention further provides genetically modified mycobacteria having a defect in a sulfation pathway enzyme gene; and immunogenic compositions that include such genetically modified mycobacteria.

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/126,279, filed Apr. 19, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/285,394, filed Apr. 20, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/345,953, filed Oct. 26, 2001, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] This invention was made with U.S. government support under grant no. R01 GM59907-01 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The U.S. government may have certain rights in this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention is in the field of mycobacterial proteins, and in particular, mycobacterial sulfation pathway proteins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004]Mycobacteria are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised or elderly individuals and in countries with limited medical resources. Ninety-five percent of human infections are caused by seven species: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. avium (also known as the mycobacterium avium complex or M. avium-intracellulare), M. leprae, M. kansasii, M. fortuitum, M. chelonae, and M. absecessus. The most common mycobacterial infections in the United States are pulmonary infections by M. tuberculosis or M. avium. Such mycobacterial infections have been of increasing concern over the past decade, particularly in light of the increasing incidence of multi-drug resistant strains.

[0005]Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtub) is the causative agent of the disease tuberculosis in humans. Estimates indicate that one-third of the world's population, including 10 million in the U.S., are infected with M. tuberculosis, with 8 million new cases and 3 million deaths reported world wide each year. Although incidence of tuberculosis steadily decreased since the early 1900s, this trend changed in 1984 with increased immigration from endemic countries and increased infection among homeless individuals, drug and alcohol abusers, prisoners, and HIV-infected individuals. The increasing occurrence of drug-resistant strains requires continued research into new and more effective treatments.

[0006]M. avium infection poses the greatest health risk to immunocompromised individuals, and is one of the most common opportunistic infections in patients with AIDS (Horsburgh (1991) New Eng. J. Med. 324:1332-1338). In contrast with disease in other patients, M. avium infection can be very serious in immunocompromised individuals (e.g., AIDS patients, who have a low CD4+ T-cell count (Crowe, et al. (1991) J. AIDS 4:770-776)), and can result in disseminated infection in which virtually no organ is spared.

[0007] Treatment of mycobacterial infections is complicated and difficult. For example, treatment of M. tuberculosis and of M. avium infections requires a combination of relatively toxic agents, usually three different drugs, for at least six months. The toxicity and intolerability of these medications usually result in low compliance and inadequate treatment, which in turn increases the chance of therapeutic failure and enhances the selection for drug-resistant organisms. Treatment of mycobacterial infections is further complicated in pregnant women, patients with pre-existing liver or renal diseases, and immunocompromised patients, e.g., AIDS patients.

[0008] Sulfotransferases are enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a sulfate from a donor compound to an acceptor compound, usually placing the sulfate moiety at a specific location on the acceptor compound. In mycobacteria, the most notable sulfated compounds identified to date are the “sulfatides” of Mtub. Sulfatides are a closely related set of sulfated glycolipids. They are characterized by a common trehalose-2-sulfate core disaccharide. Sulfatide-1 (sulfolipid-1 or SL-1), the most abundant of the sulfatides, has been extensively studied both structurally and biologically. The molecule consists of a 2,3,6,6′-tetra-O-acyl-trehalose-2′-sulfate. Other members of the family differ in the number and type of the acyl substituents, but not in the core sulfated disaccharide. Reported biological properties of the purified SL-1 include its ability to inhibit macrophage phagosome/lysosome fusion, to enhance the secretion of TNF-α, to inhibit macrophage priming, and to activate human neutrophils.

[0009] Recently, a second set of sulfated structures have been identified and characterized in Mycobacteria. A sulfate group has been found in an ester linkage to a sugar residue of a mycobacterial glycopeptidolipid (GPL), in one case at the 2-position of a 3,4-di-O-methylrhamnose in the GPL of M. fortuitum, and in another case at the 4-position of a 6-deoxy-talose in a GPL of a drug-resistant strain of M. avium.

[0010] To date, numerous virulence factors and potential drug targets have been studied in Mtub and Mav. No single genetic or metabolic entity, however, has yet to be identified as solely or even mostly responsible for the organisms' ability to cause disease in humans. In particular, information regarding the enzymes responsible for synthesizing sulfated macromolecules in mycobacteria is needed. As such, there is continued interest in identifying additional genes and gene products in Mycobacterium species that can serve as diagnostic tools, and as targets for therapeutic intervention.

[0011] Literature Bloom and Murray (1999) Science 257:105-1064 Daffe and Draper (1998) Adv. Microb. Physiol. 39:149-152; Hemmerich and Rosen (2000) Glycobiol. 10:848-856; Goren et al. (1976) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 73:2510-2514; Bronzna et al. (1991) Infect. Immun. 59:2542-2548; Pabst et al. (1988) J. Immunol. 140:634-640; Zhang et al. (1991) J. Immunol. 146:2730-2736; Lopez Marin et al. (1992) Biochem. 31:11106-11111; Khoo et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:9778-9785; Tsukamara and Mizuno (1981) Microbiol. Immunol. 25:215; Cole et al. (1998) Nature 393:537-544; U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,002.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Novel mycobacterial sulfation pathway proteins and polypeptides related thereto, as well as nucleic acid compositions encoding the same, are provided. The subject polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including research, diagnostic, and therapeutic agent screening applications. Also provided are methods of inhibiting growth and/or virulence of a pathogenic mycobacterium, and methods of treating disease conditions associated with a pathogenic mycobacterium, particularly by administering an inhibitor of a mycobacterial sulfation pathway protein. The present invention further provides genetically modified mycobacteria having a defect in a sulfation pathway enzyme gene; and immunogenic compositions that include such genetically modified mycobacteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWING

[0013]FIG. 1i-iii provides an alignment of the amino acid sequences of mycobacterial sulfotransferases.

[0014]FIG. 2 provides an alignment of the amino acid sequences of mycobacterial sulfotransferases. The sequences of Mycobacterium avium glycosyl sulfotransferases correspond to the sequences in FIG. 1 as follows: identified as AST1 (mav_(—)62); AST2 (mav_(—)4); AST3 (mav_(—)16); AST4 (mav_(—)144); AST5 (mav_(—)93); AST6 (mav_(—)131); AST7 (mav_(—)130); AST8 (mav_(—)304).

[0015]FIG. 3 provides the nucleotide sequence of Rv2267c (SEQ ID NO:20).

[0016]FIG. 4 provides the nucleotide sequence of Rv3529c (SEQ ID NO:14).

[0017]FIG. 5 provides the nucleotide sequence of Rv1373 (SEQ ID NO:24).

[0018]FIG. 6 provides the nucleotide sequence of AST1 (SEQ ID NO:16; mav_(—)62).

[0019]FIG. 7 provides the nucleotide sequence of AST2 (SEQ ID NO:7; mav_(—)4).

[0020]FIG. 8 provides the nucleotide sequence of AST3 (SEQ ID NO:3; mav_(—)16).

[0021]FIG. 9 provides the nucleotide sequence of AST4 (SEQ ID NO: 14; mav_(—)144).

[0022]FIG. 10 provides the nucleotide sequence of AST5 (SEQ ID NO:9; mav_(—)93).

[0023]FIG. 11 provides the nucleotide sequence of AST6 (SEQ ID NO:5; mav_(—)131).

[0024]FIG. 12 provides the nucleotide sequence of AST7 (SEQ ID NO:1; mav_(—)130).

[0025]FIG. 13 provides the nucleotide sequence of AST8 (SEQ ID NO:22; mav_(—)304).

[0026]FIG. 14 provides the amino acid sequence of an APS reductase from M. tuberculosis H37Rv (SEQ ID NO:27).

[0027]FIG. 15 provides the amino acid sequence of an APS reductase from M. smegmatis mc²155 (SEQ ID NO:28).

[0028]FIG. 16 provides the amino acid sequence of an APS reductase from M. avium (SEQ ID NO:29).

[0029]FIG. 17 provides an alignment of the amino acid sequences of APS reductases from M. tuberculosis, M. smegmatis, and M. avium.

[0030]FIG. 18 depicts complementation of E. coli JM81A by M. tuberculosis CysH.

[0031]FIG. 19 provides the amino acid sequence of an APS kinase from M. smegmatis mc² 155 (SEQ ID NO:31).

[0032]FIG. 20 provides the amino acid sequence of an APS kinase from M. avium (SEQ ID NO:32).

[0033]FIG. 21a depicts a sulfation assimilation pathway used by M. tuberculosis, M. smegmatis, and M. avium. FIG. 21b depicts sulfate assimilation pathways in plants and bacteria.

[0034]FIG. 22 depicts a screen for inhibitors of APS reductase and APS kinase.

[0035]FIG. 23 depicts a growth curve for JM81A; JM81A complemented with CysC; JM81A complemented with CysH; in the presence and absence of DMSO.

[0036]FIG. 24 depicts Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectroscopy (FT-ICR MS) analysis of M. tuberculosis extracts.

[0037]FIG. 25 depicts survival of mice infected with M. tuberculosis wild-type H37Rv or mutant M. tuberculosis H37RvΔCysH.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Novel mycobacterial sulfation pathway proteins and polypeptides related thereto, as well as nucleic acid compositions encoding the same, are provided. The subject polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including research, diagnostic, and therapeutic agent screening applications. Also provided are methods of inhibiting growth and/or virulence of a pathogenic mycobacterium, and methods of treating disease conditions associated with a pathogenic mycobacterium, particularly by administering an inhibitor of a mycobacterial sulfation pathway protein. The present invention further provides genetically modified mycobacteria having a defect in a sulfation pathway enzyme gene; and immunogenic compositions that include such genetically modified mycobacteria.

Definitions

[0039] The terms “polynucleotide” and “nucleic acid molecule” are used interchangeably herein to refer to polymeric forms of nucleotides of any length. The polynucleotides may contain deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, and/or their analogs. Nucleotides may have any three-dimensional structure, and may perform any function, known or unknown. The term “polynucleotide” includes single-, double-stranded and triple helical molecules. “Oligonucleotide” generally refers to polynucleotides of between about 5 and about 100 nucleotides of single- or double-stranded DNA. However, for the purposes of this disclosure, there is no upper limit to the length of an oligonucleotide. Oligonucleotides are also known as oligomers or oligos and may be isolated from genes, or chemically synthesized by methods known in the art.

[0040] The following are non-limiting embodiments of polynucleotides: a gene or gene fragment, exons, introns, mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, ribozymes, cDNA, recombinant polynucleotides, branched polynucleotides, plasmids, vectors, isolated DNA of any sequence, isolated RNA of any sequence, nucleic acid probes, and primers. A nucleic acid molecule may also comprise modified nucleic acid molecules, such as methylated nucleic acid molecules and nucleic acid molecule analogs. Analogs of purines and pyrimidines are known in the art. Nucleic acids may be naturally occurring, e.g. DNA or RNA, or may be synthetic analogs, as known in the art. Such analogs may be preferred for use as probes because of superior stability under assay conditions. Modifications in the native structure, including alterations in the backbone, sugars or heterocyclic bases, have been shown to increase intracellular stability and binding affinity. Among useful changes in the backbone chemistry are phosphorothioates; phosphorodithioates, where both of the non-bridging oxygens are substituted with sulfur; phosphoroamidites; alkyl phosphotriesters and boranophosphates. Achiral phosphate derivatives include 3′-O′-5′-S-phosphorothioate, 3′-S-5′-O-phosphorothioate, 3′-CH₂-5′-O-phosphonate and 3′-NH-5′-O-phosphoroamidate. Peptide nucleic acids replace the entire ribose phosphodiester backbone with a peptide linkage.

[0041] Sugar modifications are also used to enhance stability and affinity. The α-anomer of deoxyribose may be used, where the base is inverted with respect to the natural β-anomer. The 2′-OH of the ribose sugar may be altered to form 2′-O-methyl or 2′-O-allyl sugars, which provides resistance to degradation without comprising affinity.

[0042] Modification of the heterocyclic bases must maintain proper base pairing. Some useful substitutions include deoxyuridine for deoxythymidine; 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine and 5-bromo-2′-deoxycytidine for deoxycytidine. 5-propynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and 5-propynyl-2′-deoxycytidine have been shown to increase affinity and biological activity when substituted for deoxythymidine and deoxycytidine, respectively.

[0043] The terms “polypeptide” and “protein”, used interchangeably herein, refer to a polymeric form of amino acids of any length, which can include coded and non-coded amino acids, chemically or biochemically modified or derivatized amino acids, and polypeptides having modified peptide backbones. The term includes fusion proteins, including, but not limited to, fusion proteins with a heterologous amino acid sequence, fusions with heterologous and homologous leader sequences, with or without N-terminal methionine residues; immunologically tagged proteins; and the like.

[0044] A “substantially isolated” or “isolated” polynucleotide is one that is substantially free of the sequences with which it is associated in nature. By substantially free is meant at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, and even more preferably at least 90% free of the materials with which it is associated in nature. As used herein, an “isolated” polynucleotide also refers to recombinant polynucleotides, which, by virtue of origin or manipulation: (1) are not associated with all or a portion of a polynucleotide with which it is associated in nature, (2) are linked to a polynucleotide other than that to which it is linked in nature, or (3) does not occur in nature.

[0045] Hybridization reactions can be performed under conditions of different “stringency”. Conditions that increase stringency of a hybridization reaction of widely known and published in the art. See, for example, Sambrook et al. (1989). Examples of relevant conditions include (in order of increasing stringency): incubation temperatures of 25° C., 37° C., 50° C. and 68° C.; buffer concentrations of 10×SSC, 6×SSC, 1×SSC, 0.1×SSC (where SSC is 0.15 M NaCl and 15 mM citrate buffer) and their equivalents using other buffer systems; formamide concentrations of 0%, 25%, 50%, and 0.75%; incubation times from 5 minutes to 24 hours; 1, 2, or more washing steps; wash incubation times of 1, 2, or 15 minutes; and wash solutions of 6×SSC, 1×SSC, 0.1×SSC, or deionized water. Examples of stringent conditions are hybridization and washing at 50° C. or higher and in 0.1×SSC (9 mM NaCl/0.9 mM sodium citrate).

[0046] Stringent hybridization conditions are, for example, 50° C. or higher and 0.1×SSC (15 mM sodium chloride/01.5 mM sodium citrate) or lower. Another example of stringent hybridization conditions is overnight incubation at 42° C. in a solution: 50% formamide, 5×SSC (150 mM NaCl, 15 mM trisodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH7.6), 5× Denhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 μg/ml denatured, sheared salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing the filters in 0.1×SSC at about 65° C. Stringent hybridization conditions are hybridization conditions that are at least as stringent as the above representative conditions. Other stringent hybridization conditions are known in the art and may also be employed to identify nucleic acids of this particular embodiment of the invention.

[0047] “T_(m)” is the temperature in degrees Celsius at which 50% of a polynucleotide duplex made of complementary strands hydrogen bonded in anti-parallel direction by Watson-Crick base pairing dissociates into single strands under conditions of the experiment. T_(m) may be predicted according to a standard formula, such as:

T _(m)=81.5+16.6 log[X ⁺]+0.41(% G/C)−0.61(% F)−600/L

[0048] where [X⁺] is the cation concentration (usually sodium ion, Na⁺) in mol/L; (% G/C) is the number of G and C residues as a percentage of total residues in the duplex; (% F) is the percent formamide in solution (wt/vol); and L is the number of nucleotides in each strand of the duplex.

[0049] Stringent conditions for both DNA/DNA and DNA/RNA hybridization are as described by Sambrook et al. Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989, herein incorporated by reference. For example, see page 7.52 of Sambrook et al.

[0050] A polynucleotide or polypeptide has a certain percent “sequence identity” to another polynucleotide or polypeptide, meaning that, when aligned, that percentage of bases or amino acids are the same when comparing the two sequences. Sequence similarity can be determined in a number of different manners. To determine sequence identity, sequences can be aligned using the methods and computer programs, including BLAST, available over the world wide web at http://ww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/. Another alignment algorithm is FASTA, available in the Genetics Computing Group (GCG) package, from Madison, Wis., USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford Molecular Group, Inc. Other techniques for alignment are described in Methods in Enzymology, vol. 266: Computer Methods for Macromolecular Sequence Analysis (1996), ed. Doolittle, Academic Press, Inc., a division of Harcourt Brace & Co., San Diego, Calif., USA. Of particular interest are alignment programs that permit gaps in the sequence. The Smith-Waterman is one type of algorithm that permits gaps in sequence alignments. See Meth. Mol. Biol. 70: 173-187 (1997). Also, the GAP program using the Needleman and Wunsch alignment method can be utilized to align sequences. See J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443-453 (1970)

[0051] Of interest is the BestFit program using the local homology algorithm of Smith Waterman (Advances in Applied Mathematics 2: 482-489 (1981) to determine sequence identity. The gap generation penalty will generally range from 1 to 5, usually 2 to 4 and in many embodiments will be 3. The gap extension penalty will generally range from about 0.01 to 0.20 and in many instances will be 0.10. The program has default parameters determined by the sequences inputted to be compared. Preferably, the sequence identity is determined using the default parameters determined by the program. This program is available also from Genetics Computing Group (GCG) package, from Madison, Wis., USA.

[0052] Another program of interest is the FastDB algorithm. FastDB is described in Current Methods in Sequence Comparison and Analysis, Macromolecule Sequencing and Synthesis, Selected Methods and Applications, pp. 127-149, 1988, Alan R. Liss, Inc. Percent sequence identity is calculated by FastDB based upon the following parameters: Mismatch Penalty: 1.00; Gap Penalty: 1.00; Gap Size Penalty: 0.33; and Joining Penalty: 30.0.

[0053] One parameter for determining percent sequence identity is the “percentage of the alignment region length” where the strongest alignment is found. The percentage of the alignment region length is calculated by counting the number of residues of the individual sequence found in the region of strongest alignment. This number is divided by the total residue length of the target or query polynucleotide sequence to find a percentage.

[0054] An example is shown below: Target sequence: ababadddcdbcbdbcbadaa     |   ||| |||| ||| Query sequence: cdcdabbbcdb.bdbcdadacbb 1   5   10    15

[0055] where a=guanine; b=cytosine; c=thymine; and d=adenine.

[0056] The region of alignment begins at residue 9 and ends at residue 19. The total length of the target sequence is 20 residues. The percent of the alignment region length is 11 divided by 20 or 55%, for example.

[0057] Percent sequence identity is calculated by counting the number of residue matches between the target and query polynucleotide sequence and dividing total number of matches by the number of residues of the target or query sequence found in the region of strongest alignment. For the example above, the percent identity would be 10 matches divided by 11 residues, or approximately, 90.9%.

[0058] The percent of the alignment region length is typically at least about 55% of total length of the sequence, more typically at least about 58%, and even more typically at least about 60% of the total residue length of the sequence. Usually, percent length of the alignment region can be as great as about 62%, more usually as great as about 64% and even more usually as great as about 66%.

[0059] The term “host cell” includes an individual cell or cell culture which can be or has been a recipient of any recombinant vector(s) or isolated polynucleotide of the invention. Host cells include progeny of a single host cell, and the progeny may not necessarily be completely identical (in morphology or in total DNA complement) to the original parent cell due to natural, accidental, or deliberate mutation and/or change. A host cell includes cells transfected or infected in vivo or in vitro with a recombinant vector or a polynucleotide of the invention. A host cell which comprises a recombinant vector of the invention is a “recombinant host cell.”

[0060] The term “binds specifically,” in the context of antibody binding, refers to high avidity and/or high affinity binding of an antibody to a specific polypeptide i.e., epitope of a subject polypeptide. Antibody binding to an epitope on a specific mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide is preferably stronger than binding of the same antibody to any other epitope, particularly those which may be present in molecules in association with, or in the same sample, as the specific polypeptide of interest, e.g., binds more strongly to an epitope on a specific mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide than to an epitope on a different mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide so that by adjusting binding conditions the antibody binds almost exclusively to an epitope of the specific mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide and not to any other epitope on the mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide, and not to any other mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide which does not comprise the epitope. In some embodiments, an antibody of the invention binds to a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide of one species, but not another, and thus can distinguish between sulfation pathway polypeptides from two mycobacterial species. Antibodies which bind specifically to a polypeptide of interest may be capable of binding other polypeptides at a weak, yet detectable, level (e.g., 10% or less of the binding shown to the polypeptide of interest). Such weak binding, or background binding, is readily discernible from the specific antibody binding to the compound or polypeptide of interest, e.g. by use of appropriate controls. In general, antibodies of the invention which bind to a specific mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide with a binding affinity of 10⁷ mole/liter or more, preferably 10⁸ mole/liter or more are said to bind specifically to the specific mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide. In general, an antibody with a binding affinity of 10⁶ mole/liter or less is not useful in that it will not bind an antigen at a detectable level using conventional methodology currently used.

[0061] A “biological sample” encompasses a variety of sample types obtained from an individual and can be used in a diagnostic or monitoring assay. The definition encompasses blood and other liquid samples of biological origin, solid tissue samples such as a biopsy specimen or tissue cultures or cells derived therefrom and the progeny thereof. The definition also includes samples that have been manipulated in any way after their procurement, such as by treatment with reagents, solubilization, or enrichment for certain components, such as polynucleotides. The term “biological sample” encompasses a clinical sample, and also includes cells in culture, cell supernatants, cell lysates, serum, plasma, biological fluid, and tissue samples.

[0062] “Treatment” or “treating” as used herein means any therapeutic intervention in a subject, usually a mammalian subject, generally a human subject, including: (i) prevention, that is, causing the clinical symptoms not to develop, e.g., preventing infection and/or preventing progression to a harmful state; (ii) inhibition, that is, arresting the development or further development of clinical symptoms, e.g., mitigating or completely inhibiting an active (ongoing) infection so that pathogen load is decreased to the degree that it is no longer harmful, which decrease can include complete elimination of an infectious dose of the pathogen from the subject; and/or (iii) relief, that is, causing the regression of clinical symptoms, e.g., causing a relief of fever, inflammation, and/or other symptoms caused by an infection.

[0063] The term “effective amount”, or “therapeutically effective amount” means a dosage sufficient to provide for treatment for the disease state being treated or to otherwise provide the desired effect (e.g., induction of an effective immune response). The precise dosage will vary according to a variety of factors such as subject-dependent variables (e.g., age, immune system health, etc.), the disease (e.g., the species of the infecting pathogen), and the treatment being effected. In the case of an intracellular pathogen infection, an “effective amount” is that amount necessary to substantially improve the likelihood of treating the infection, in particular that amount which improves the likelihood of successfully preventing infection or eliminating infection when it has occurred.

[0064] By “subject” or “individual” or “patient” or “host” is meant any subject for whom or which therapy is desired. Human subjects are of particular interest. Other subjects may include non-human primates, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, birds (e.g., chickens or other poultry), guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, mice, horses, and so on. Of particular interest are subjects having or susceptible to intracellular pathogen infection, particularly mycobacterial infection, more particularly to infection by M. tuberculosis, M. avium, and the like.

[0065] Before the subject invention is further described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope of the present invention will be established by the appended claims.

[0066] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either both of those included limits are also included in the invention.

[0067] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.

[0068] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “and”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a polynucleotide” includes a plurality of such polynucleotides and reference to “the mycobacterium” includes reference to one or more mycobacteria and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

[0069] The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

[0070] Polypeptide Compositions

[0071] Novel mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptides, as well as polypeptide compositions related thereto, are provided. The subject sulfation pathway polypeptides are present in other than their natural environment, e.g., they are isolated. The term polypeptide composition as used herein refers to both the full length mycobacterial protein as well as portions or fragments thereof. Also included in this term are variations of the naturally occurring mycobacterial protein, where such variations are homologous or substantially similar to the naturally occurring protein, as described in greater detail below, as well as corresponding homologs from other mycobacterial species.

[0072] Mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptides are polypeptides that are components of a biosynthetic pathway whose end product is a sulfated glycopeptidolipid or a sulfated glycolipid found in a mycobacterium. Mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptides of the invention include, but are not limited to, sulfotransferases, ATP sulfurylases; adenylyl phosphosulfate (APS) reductases; 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) reductases; APS kinases; sulfatases; and sulfate transporters.

[0073] In the following description of the subject invention, the term M-ST is used to refer to mycobacterial sulfotransferases. A mycobacterial sulfotransferase of the invention comprises one or more of the following motifs: (1) a 5′-phosphosulfate binding loop; (2) a 3′-phosphate binding motif; and (3) a conserved RYEDL motif (SEQ ID NO:52). The 5′-phosphosulfate binding loop and the 3′-phosphate binding motif are necessary to bind the sulfate donor 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS). PAPS is a universal sulfotransferase substrate that serves as the sulfate donor.

[0074] In particular embodiments, a mycobacterial sulfation pathway protein, e.g., an M-ST polypeptide, of the invention has an amino acid sequence of any one of the proteins identified as may 130 (SEQ ID NO:2); mav_(—)16 (SEQ ID NO:4); mav_(—)131 (SEQ ID NO:6); mav_(—)4 (SEQ ID NO:8); mav_(—)93 (SEQ ID NO:10); mav_(—)144 (SEQ ID NO:12); mbov_(—)334 (SEQ ID NO:13); mtub_rv3529c (SEQ ID NO:15); mav_(—)62 (SEQ ID NO:17); mav-tb_(—)2056 (SEQ ID NO:18); mbov_(—)479 (SEQ ID NO:19); mtub_rv2267c (SEQ ID NO:21); and mav_(—)304 (SEQ ID NO:23) in FIG. 1; and rv1373 (SEQ ID NO:25) in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, an M-ST polypeptide of the invention has the sequence identified as “consensus” (SEQ ID NO:26) in FIG. 2.

[0075] Also provided are M-ST homologs. The subject M-ST homologs have a sequence that is substantially identical to Mav-130 (as shown in FIG. 1), having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:02, where by “substantially identical” is meant that the protein has an amino acid sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:02 of at least about 75%, at least about 85%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95, at least about 98%, or at least about 99%.

[0076] The mycobacterial sulfation pathway proteins of the subject invention (e.g. M-ST, etc.) are present in a non-naturally occurring environment, e.g. are separated from their naturally occurring environment. In certain embodiments, the subject proteins are present in a composition that is enriched for subject protein as compared to its naturally occurring environment. For example, purified subject protein is provided, where by purified is meant that subject protein is present in a composition that is substantially free of non-subject proteins, where by substantially free is meant that less than 90%, usually less than 60% and more usually less than 50% of the composition is made up of non-subject proteins. The proteins of the subject invention may also be present as an isolate, by which is meant that the protein is substantially free of other proteins and other naturally occurring biologic molecules, such as oligosaccharides, lipids commonly found in mycobacteria, polynucleotides and fragments thereof, and the like, where substantially free in this instance means that less than 70%, usually less than 60% and more usually less than 50%, less than about 40%, less than about 30%, or less than about 20%, of the composition containing the isolated protein is some other naturally occurring biological molecule. In certain embodiments, the proteins are present in substantially pure form, where by substantially pure form is meant at least 95%, usually at least 97% and more usually at least 99% pure.

[0077] In addition to the naturally occurring proteins, polypeptides which vary from the naturally occurring proteins are also provided. By “an M-ST” polypeptide is meant an amino acid sequence encoded by an open reading frame (ORF) of an M-ST polynucleotide, described in greater detail below, including the full length M-ST protein and fragments thereof, particularly biologically active fragments and/or fragments corresponding to functional domains, e.g. acceptor binding site (postulated to be the most 5′ consensus region, the donor binding site, e.g. RYEDL, and the like; and including fusions of the subject polypeptides to other proteins or parts thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, an M-ST polypeptide comprises at least about 10, at least about 25, at least about 50, at least about 75, at least about 100, at least about 125, at least about 150, at least about 175, at least about 200, at least about 225, at least about 250, at least about 275, or at least about 300, contiguous amino acids of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, and 25. In many embodiments, an M-ST polypeptide of the invention comprises the complete amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, and 25.

[0078] Also provided are polypeptides that include an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27, 28, and 29, depicted in FIGS. 14-17. Polypeptides of interest that include an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27, 28, and 29 are those that exhibit APS reductase activity. Also provided are polypeptides that include an amino acid sequence that has at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27, 28, and 29, depicted in FIGS. 14-17. Also provided are polypeptides that include at least about 10, at least about 25, at least about 50, at least about 75, at least about 100, at least about 125, at least about 150, at least about 175, at least about 200, or at least about 225 contiguous amino acids of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27, 28, and 29, depicted in FIGS. 14-17.

[0079] Also provided are polypeptides that include an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 and 32, depicted in FIGS. 19, and 20, respectively. Polypeptides of interest that include an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 and 32 are those that exhibit APS kinase activity. Also provided are polypeptides that include an amino acid sequence that has at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 and 32, depicted in FIGS. 19, and 20, respectively. Also provided are polypeptides that include at least about 10, at least about 25, at least about 50, at least about 75, at least about 100, at least about 125, at least about 150, at least about 175, at least about 200, at least about 250, at least about 300, at least about 350, at least about 400, at least about 450, at least about 500, at least about 550, or at least about 600 contiguous amino acids of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 and 32, depicted in FIGS. 19, and 20, respectively.

[0080] Also provided are mutants of a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide, e.g., an M-ST, an APS reductase, an APS kinase, etc. In some embodiments, mutants have altered physical characteristics, compared to a “wild-type” or naturally occurring mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide. Physical characteristics of a mutant mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide of the invention include one or more of the following: (1) increased solubility in aqueous solution; (2) correct folding during translation; (3) mutations that alter antigenicity; and (4) mutations that increase or decrease enzyme turnover. Mutants can be generated using well-known techniques for mutagenesis of a nucleic acid molecule. Random mutagenesis of a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide can be carried out, using techniques that are standard in the art, and the polypeptides encoded thereby evaluated for various physical properties described above. Mutants can also be selected for various physical properties.

[0081] For example, one can select for properly folded mutants in the following manner. Following random mutagenesis of a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide, the polynucleotide can be cloned into an expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a detectable marker protein, e.g., a chromoprotein or fluoroprotein (fluorescent protein) (e.g., green fluorescent protein from Aequorea victoria; or any fluorescent protein from, e.g., an anthozoan species) such that a fusion protein is encoded. Fluorescent proteins include, but are not limited to, a green fluorescent protein (GFP), including, but not limited to, a “humanized” version of a GFP, e.g., wherein codons of the naturally-occurring nucleotide sequence are changed to more closely match human codon bias; a GFP derived from Aequoria victoria or a derivative thereof, e.g., a “humanized” derivative such as Enhanced GFP, which are available commercially, e.g., from Clontech, Inc.; a GFP from another species such as Renilla reniformis, Renilla mulleri, or Ptilosarcus guernyi, as described in, e.g., WO 99/49019 and Peelle et al. (2001) J. Protein Chem. 20:507-519; “humanized” recombinant GFP (hrGFP) (Stratagene); any of a variety of fluorescent and colored proteins from Anthozoan species, as described in, e.g., Matz et al. (1999) Nature Biotechnol. 17:969-973; and the like. Where the fusion partner is an enzyme that yields a detectable product, the product can be detected using an appropriate means, e.g., β-galactosidase can, depending on the substrate, yield colored product, which is detected spectrophotometrically, or a fluorescent product; luciferase can yield a luminescent product detectable with a luminometer; etc.

[0082] The fusion protein comprises the mycobacterial sulfation pathway protein fused in-frame to the detectable marker protein. After transfection into a suitable host cell, e.g., Mycobacterium smegmatis, E. coli, and the like) colonies are examined visually for the presence of the detectable marker protein. If the detectable marker protein is detectable, e.g., it fluoresces or is colored, then it is likely properly folded. The mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide is therefore also likely to be properly folded.

[0083] The subject proteins and polypeptides may be obtained from naturally occurring sources or synthetically produced. Where obtained from naturally occurring sources, the source chosen will generally depend on the species from which the protein is to be derived. For example, Mtub sulfotransferase is generally derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The subject proteins may also be derived from synthetic means, e.g. by expressing a recombinant gene encoding protein of interest in a suitable host, as described in greater detail below. Any convenient protein purification procedures may be employed, where suitable protein purification methodologies are described in Guide to Protein Purification, (Deuthser ed.) (Academic Press, 1990). For example, a lysate may prepared from the original source, e.g. a mycobacterium or the expression host, and purified using HPLC, exclusion chromatography, gel electrophoresis, affinity chromatography, and the like.

[0084] Polynucleotide Compositions; Recombinant Vectors; Host Cells

[0085] Also provided are polynucleotide compositions encoding mycobacterial sulfation pathway proteins (e.g., M-ST and the like) or fragments thereof, where the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide differs from a wild-type or naturally occurring polynucleotide that comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a mycobacterial sulfation pathway protein. The invention further provides recombinant vectors comprising a subject polynucleotide, as well as host cells comprising a subject polynucleotide and host cells comprising a subject recombinant vector.

[0086] By mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotide composition is meant a composition comprising a sequence of polynucleotide having an open reading frame that encodes mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide of the invention, and is capable, under appropriate conditions, of being transcribed and translated such that a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide is produced. Also encompassed in this term are polynucleotides that are homologous or substantially similar or identical to the polynucleotides encoding mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptides. Thus, the subject invention provides genes encoding mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptides and homologs thereof.

[0087] The nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 20, 22, and 24 encode polypeptides identified as SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 21, 23, and 25, respectively. In all embodiments, the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 20, 22, and 24 are specifically excluded. Polynucleotides of the invention comprise nucleotide sequences that differ in nucleotide sequence from the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 20, 22, and 24 by at least about 5%.

[0088] In some embodiments a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotide of the invention shares from about 50% to about 60%, from about 60% to about 65%, from about 65% to about 70%, from about 70% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 80% from about 80% to about 85%, from about 85% to about 90%, from about 90% to about 95%, nucleotide sequence identity to the coding region of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 20, 22, and 24. Sequence similarity is calculated based on a reference sequence, which may be a subset of a larger sequence, such as a conserved motif, coding region, flanking region, etc. A reference sequence will usually be at least about 18 nt long, more usually at least about 30 nt long, and may extend to the complete sequence that is being compared. Algorithms for sequence analysis are known in the art, such as BLAST, described in Altschul et al. (1990), J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-10 (using default settings). The sequences provided herein are essential for recognizing related and homologous proteins in database searches.

[0089] In some embodiments, a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotide of the invention encodes a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide. In some of these embodiments, a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotide of the invention comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide comprising at least about 10, at least about 25, at least about 50, at least about 75, at least about 100, at least about 125, at least about 150, at least about 175, at least about 200, at least about 225, at least about 250, at least about 275, or at least about 300, contiguous amino acids of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 21, 23, and 25. In many embodiments, a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotide of the invention comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide comprising the complete amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 21, 23, and 25.

[0090] In other embodiments, a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotide includes a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide having at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% amino acid sequence identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs:27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32.

[0091] In other embodiments, a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotide includes a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide that includes at least about 10, at least about 25, at least about 50, at least about 75, at least about 100, at least about 125, at least about 150, at least about 175, at least about 200, or at least about 225 contiguous amino acids of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:27, 28, and 29, depicted in FIGS. 14-17.

[0092] In other embodiments, a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotide includes a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide that includes at least about 10, at least about 25, at least about 50, at least about 75, at least about 100, at least about 125, at least about 150, at least about 175, at least about 200, at least about 250, at least about 300, at least about 350, at least about 400, at least about 450, at least about 500, at least about 550, or at least about 600 contiguous amino acids of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:31 and 32, depicted in FIGS. 19, and 20, respectively.

[0093] Mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotides of the invention differ from wild-type mycobacterial polynucleotides. The subject polynucleotides are typically generated by random or directed mutagenesis of wild-type mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotides. The source of wild-type mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotide is any mycobacterial species, e.g., by M tuberculosis, M. avium (or M. avium-intracellulare), M. leprae (particularly M. leprae infection leading to tuberculoid leprosy), M. kansasii, M. fortuitum, M. chelonae, and M. absecessus.

[0094] Nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the subject invention may be cDNA or genomic DNA or a fragment thereof. The term “mycobacterial sulfation pathway gene” refers to the open reading frame encoding specific mycobacterial sulfation pathway proteins and polypeptides, as well as adjacent 5′ and 3′ non-coding nucleotide sequences involved in the regulation of expression, up to about 20 kb beyond the coding region, but possibly further in either direction. The gene may be introduced into an appropriate vector for extrachromosomal maintenance or for integration into a host genome.

[0095] The term “cDNA” as used herein is intended to include all nucleic acids that share the arrangement of sequence elements found in native mature mRNA species, where sequence elements are coding regions, as well as 3′ and 5′ non-coding regions. Normally mRNA species have a sequence of a continuous open reading frame encoding a mycobacterial sulfation pathway protein.

[0096] A genomic sequence of interest comprises the nucleic acid present between the initiation codon and the stop codon, as defined in the listed sequences that are normally present in a native chromosome. It may further include the 3′ and 5′ untranslated regions found in the mature mRNA. It may further include specific transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences, such as promoters, etc., including about 1 kb, but possibly more, of flanking genomic DNA at either the 5′ or 3′ end of the transcribed region. The genomic DNA may be isolated as a fragment of 100 kbp or smaller; and substantially free of flanking chromosomal sequence. The genomic DNA flanking the coding region, either 3′ or 5′, or internal regulatory sequences, contains sequences required for proper expression (e.g., expression during a specific phase of growth or exposure to a regulator of expression).

[0097] The mycobacterial sulfation pathway genes are isolated and obtained in substantial purity, generally as other than an intact chromosome. Usually, the DNA will be obtained substantially free of other nucleic acid sequences that do not include a mycobacterial sulfation pathway sequence or fragment thereof, generally being at least about 50%, usually at least about 90% pure and are typically “recombinant”, i.e. flanked by one or more nucleotides with which it is not normally associated on a naturally occurring chromosome.

[0098] In addition to the plurality of uses described in greater detail in following sections, the subject nucleic acid compositions find use in the preparation of all or a portion of the subject polypeptides, as described above. For expression, an expression cassette may be employed. The expression vector will provide a transcriptional and translational initiation region, which may be inducible or constitutive, where the coding region is operably linked under the transcriptional control of the transcriptional initiation region, and a transcriptional and translational termination region. These control regions may be native to a mycobacterial sulfation pathway gene, or may be derived from exogenous sources.

[0099] Expression vectors generally have convenient restriction sites located near the promoter sequence to provide for the insertion of nucleic acid sequences encoding heterologous proteins. A selectable marker operative in the expression host may be present. Expression vectors may be used for the production of fusion proteins, where the exogenous fusion peptide provides additional functionality, i.e. increased protein synthesis, stability, reactivity with defined antisera, an enzyme marker, e.g. β-galactosidase, a fluoroprotein, a chromoprotein, etc.

[0100] Expression vectors for introducing exogenous coding sequences into mycobacteria are known in the art, any of which can be used herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,733; U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,866; U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,696; Triccas et al. (1998) FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 167:151-156; and DasGupta et al. (1998) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 246:797-804. Examples of expression vectors include those that utilize Hsp60 promoters, the promoter normally associated with the coding region for the specific protein, the glutamine synthase promoter, or the inducible acetamidase promoter. Many of these promoters are used in the pMS series of vectors. These vectors often include the Hyg (hygromycin) resistance gene. Vectors can provide for inducible expression of a protein, by using an inducible promoter, e.g., the acetamidase promoter (inducible by adding acetamide to the culture medium), and the like.

[0101] Expression cassettes may be prepared comprising a transcription initiation region, the gene or fragment thereof, and a transcriptional termination region. Of particular interest is the use of sequences that allow for the expression of functional epitopes or domains, usually at least about 8 amino acids in length, more usually at least about 15 amino acids in length, to about 25 amino acids, and up to the complete open reading frame of the gene. After introduction of the DNA, the cells containing the construct may be selected by means of a selectable marker, the cells expanded and then used for expression.

[0102] Subject proteins and polypeptides may be expressed in prokaryotes or eukaryotes in accordance with conventional ways, depending upon the purpose for expression. For large scale production of the protein, a unicellular organism, such as Mycobacterium smegmatis, E. coli, B. subtilis, S. cerevisiae, insect cells in combination with baculovirus vectors, or cells of a higher organism such as vertebrates, e.g., mammals, e.g. COS 7 cells, may be used as the expression host cells. Of particular interest in many embodiments is the use of non-pathogenic strains of mycobacteria, e.g., Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium bovis-BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin), and the like. Small peptides can also be synthesized in the laboratory. Polypeptides that are subsets of the complete mycobacterial sulfation pathway protein sequence may be used to identify and investigate parts of the protein important for function.

[0103] Antibodies Specific for a Mycobacterial Sulfation Pathway Polypeptide of the Invention

[0104] The invention provides antibodies that are specific for a subject mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide. Suitable antibodies are obtained by immunizing a host animal with peptides comprising all or a portion of the subject protein. Suitable host animals include mouse, rat sheep, goat, hamster, rabbit, etc.

[0105] The immunogen may comprise the complete protein, or fragments and derivatives thereof. Preferred immunogens comprise all or a part of one of the subject proteins, where these residues contain the post-translation modifications, such as glycosylation, found on the native target protein. Immunogens comprising one or more epitopes are produced in a variety of ways known in the art, e.g. expression of cloned genes using conventional recombinant methods, isolation from mycobacteria, etc.

[0106] For preparation of polyclonal antibodies, the first step is immunization of the host animal with a subject protein, where the subject protein will preferably be in substantially pure form, comprising less than about 1% a contaminant. The immunogen may comprise the complete subject protein, fragments or derivatives thereof. To increase the immune response of the host animal, the subject protein may be combined with an adjuvant, where suitable adjuvants include alum, dextran, sulfate, large polymeric anions, oil & water emulsions, e.g. Freund's adjuvant, Freund's complete adjuvant, and the like. The subject protein may also be conjugated to synthetic carrier proteins or synthetic antigens. A variety of hosts may be immunized to produce the polyclonal antibodies. Such hosts include rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents, e.g. mice, rats, sheep, goats, and the like. The subject protein is administered to the host, usually intradermally, with an initial dosage followed by one or more, usually at least two, additional booster dosages. Following immunization, the blood from the host will be collected, followed by separation of the serum from the blood cells. The Ig present in the resultant antiserum may be further fractionated using known methods, such as ammonium salt fractionation, DEAE chromatography, and the like.

[0107] Monoclonal antibodies are produced by conventional techniques. Generally, the spleen and/or lymph nodes of an immunized host animal provide a source of plasma cells. The plasma cells are immortalized by fusion with myeloma cells to produce hybridoma cells. Culture supernatant from individual hybridomas is screened using standard techniques to identify those producing antibodies with the desired specificity. Suitable animals for production of monoclonal antibodies to the mycobacterial protein include mouse, rat, hamster, etc. The antibody may be purified from the hybridoma cell supernatants or ascites fluid by conventional techniques, e.g. affinity chromatography using protein according to the subject invention bound to an insoluble support, protein A sepharose, etc.

[0108] The antibody may be produced as a single chain, instead of the normal multimeric structure. Single chain antibodies are described in Jost et al. (1994) J.B.C. 269:26267-73, and others. DNA sequences encoding the variable region of the heavy chain and the variable region of the light chain are ligated to a spacer encoding at least about 4 amino acids of small neutral amino acids, including glycine and/or serine. The protein encoded by this fusion allows assembly of a functional variable region that retains the specificity and affinity of the original antibody.

[0109] For in vivo use, particularly for injection into humans, it is desirable to decrease the antigenicity of the antibody. An immune response of a recipient against the blocking agent will potentially decrease the period of time that the therapy is effective. Methods of humanizing antibodies are known in the art. The humanized antibody may be the product of an animal having transgenic human immunoglobulin constant region genes (see for example International Patent Applications WO 90/10077 and WO 90/04036). Alternatively, the antibody of interest may be engineered by recombinant DNA techniques to substitute the CH1, CH2, CH3, hinge domains, and/or the framework domain with the corresponding human sequence (see WO 92/02190).

[0110] The use of Ig cDNA for construction of chimeric immunoglobulin genes is known in the art (Liu et al. (1987) P.N.A.S. 84:3439 and (1987) J. Immunol. 139:3521). mRNA is isolated from a hybridoma or other cell producing the antibody and used to produce cDNA. The cDNA of interest may be amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using specific primers (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202). Alternatively, a library is made and screened to isolate the sequence of interest. The DNA sequence encoding the variable region of the antibody is then fused to human constant region sequences. The sequences of human constant regions genes may be found in Kabat et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, N.I.H. publication no. 91-3242. Human C region genes are readily available from known clones. The choice of isotype will be guided by the desired effector functions, such as complement fixation, or activity in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Preferred isotypes are IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4. Either of the human light chain constant regions, kappa or lambda, may be used. The chimeric, humanized antibody is then expressed by conventional methods.

[0111] In yet other embodiments, the antibodies may be fully human antibodies. For example, xenogeneic antibodies which are identical to human antibodies may be employed. By xenogeneic human antibodies is meant antibodies that are the same has human antibodies, i.e. they are fully human antibodies, with exception that they are produced using a non-human host which has been genetically engineered to express human antibodies. See e.g. WO 98/50433; WO 98,24893 and WO 99/53049, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

[0112] Antibody fragments, such as Fv, F(ab′)₂ and Fab may be prepared by cleavage of the intact protein, e.g. by protease or chemical cleavage. Alternatively, a truncated gene is designed. For example, a chimeric gene encoding a portion of the F(ab′)₂ fragment would include DNA sequences encoding the CH1 domain and hinge region of the H chain, followed by a translational stop codon to yield the truncated molecule.

[0113] Consensus sequences of H and L J regions may be used to design oligonucleotides for use as primers to introduce useful restriction sites into the J region for subsequent linkage of V region segments to human C region segments. C region cDNA can be modified by site directed mutagenesis to place a restriction site at the analogous position in the human sequence.

[0114] Expression vectors include plasmids, retroviruses, YACs, EBV derived episomes, and the like. A convenient vector is one that encodes a functionally complete human CH or CL immunoglobulin sequence, with appropriate restriction sites engineered so that any VH or VL sequence can be easily inserted and expressed. In such vectors, splicing usually occurs between the splice donor site in the inserted J region and the splice acceptor site preceding the human C region, and also at the splice regions that occur within the human CH exons. Polyadenylation and transcription termination occur at native chromosomal sites downstream of the coding regions. The resulting chimeric antibody may be joined to any strong promoter, including retroviral LTRs, e.g. SV-40 early promoter, (Okayama et al. (1983) Mol. Cell. Bio. 3:280), Rous sarcoma virus LTR (Gorman et al. (1982) P.N.A.S. 79:6777), and moloney murine leukemia virus LTR (Grosschedl et al. (1985) Cell 41:885); native Ig promoters, etc.

[0115] Genetically Altered Mycobacteria

[0116] The invention further provides genetically altered mycobacteria. A polynucleotide of the invention, or a wild-type mycobacterial sulfation pathway polynucleotide, or other polynucleotide, can be used to genetically alter a mycobacterium. In some embodiments, a genetically altered mycobacterium over-expresses a sulfation pathway enzyme. In some embodiments, the invention provides knock-out mutants, where an endogenous mycobacterial sulfation pathway gene is functionally disabled via homologous recombination. Such genetically altered mycobacteria are attenuated, i.e., their ability to invade and infect is reduced. A subject genetically modified mycobacterium is therefore useful in immunogenic compositions, e.g., as vaccines. A subject genetically modified mycobacterium is also useful in cell-based screening assays (described below), where a subject genetically modified mycobacterium that has a functionally disabled sulfation pathway gene is useful as a control.

[0117] Homologous recombination is carried out using well-established techniques. Exogenous DNA, which includes DNA homologous to genomic DNA of the recipient mycobacterium (homologous DNA), as well as DNA which is not homologous to genomic DNA of the recipient mycobacterium (nonhomologous DNA), is introduced into a mycobacterium. Exogenous DNA is integrated into genomic DNA. The DNA construct includes homologous DNA for targeting into a homologous genomic locus and DNA which acts to knock out (inactivate) or activate a resident (endogenous) mycobacterial gene. In the case of inactivation, the mycobacterial gene is “knocked out”, in the sense that it is rendered inactive by addition of DNA whose presence interferes with its ability to function, by removal or replacement of sequences necessary for it to be functional or by its complete removal from the mycobacterial genome. Methods of homologous recombination in mycobacteria are described in detail in Ganjam et al. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:5433-5437; Aldovini et al. (1993) J. Bacteriol. 175:7282-7289, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0118] Knock-out by homologous recombination are performed using established techniques. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,324. General protocols for generating knockouts are provided in the Examples section. For example, an allelic replacement method can be performed, as described in the Examples, using well-known techniques. See, e.g., Parish and Stoker (2000) Microbiology 146(8): 1969-75.

[0119] Any other method of genetically modifying a mycobacterium, such that is functionally disabled sulfation pathway enzyme gene is generated, can be used. Standard methods include random and site-specific mutagenesis. Random or site-specific mutagenesis is used to generate mutants in a transcriptional or translation control element, in a coding region, and the like, to generate a genetically modified mycobacterium that has a functionally disabled sulfation pathway enzyme gene.

[0120] In general, a subject genetically modified mycobacterium has a functionally disabled sulfation pathway gene. A subject genetically modified, attenuated mycobacterium typically has a genetic modification in one or more of a sulfotransferase gene, an ATP sulfurylase gene, an APS reductase gene, a PAPS reductase gene, an APS kinase gene, a sulfatase gene, and a sulfate transporter gene, such that the gene is functionally disabled. A “functionally disabled sulfation pathway gene” is a sulfation pathway gene that is genetically altered such that the level of protein encoded by the gene is at background levels (e.g., undetectable, or at or near the lower limit of detection), or is undetectable; such that the protein encoded by the gene is produced but is non-functional; such that the encoded protein produced and is functional but is produced at levels that are too low to be effective in carrying out the normal function of the protein in the bacterium; or such that the encoded protein produced is functional but is produced at levels that are lower than normal (e.g., lower than wild-type levels) such that bacterial virulence is attenuated.

[0121] A subject genetically modified mycobacterium that has a functionally disabled sulfation pathway enzyme gene exhibits reduced virulence as a result of the functional disablement of the gene. Virulence in a subject genetically modified mycobacterium is reduced by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or more (e.g., 95%, 99%, 100%), compared with a wild-type mycobacterium of the same species and not having the genetic modification, e.g., a wild-type mycobacterium that is virulent.

[0122] In some embodiments, the LD₅₀ of a subject genetically modified mycobacterium is at least about 2-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 20-fold, at least about 25-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 100-fold, at least about 150-fold, at least about 200-fold, or at least about 250-fold, or more, higher than the LD₅₀ of a wild-type mycobacterium of the same species and not having the genetic modification.

[0123] Virulence is determined using any known assay. The term “virulence” encompasses two features of a pathogenic organism: its infectivity (i.e., the ability to colonize a host) and the severity of the disease produced. Virulence can be expressed as the LD₅₀, i.e., the dose that will kill 50% of inoculated animals within a given time. Virulence can also be expressed as transmissibility, i.e., the ability of a bacterium to cause a demonstrable infection in a given animal host. Transmissibility is usually detected by culture methods. The dose required is the ID₅₀, the infection dose in 50% of animals. Virulence can also be expressed as communicability. Virulence can be tested using any known assay, including, but not limited to, mouse colony formation assay, in which the number of mycobacterial colonies in the lung of infected mice is counted at various time points after infection; and macrophage infectivity assays. Other laboratory animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs can also be used. Virulence can also be determined in a cell culture assay using macrophages. Bacteria are incubated with cultured macrophages and the number of bacteria that enter the macrophages determined by washing the macrophages, lysing them, culturing their contents on plates, and counting “colony forming units.”

[0124] In particular embodiments, a subject genetically altered mycobacterium has a functionally disabled APS reductase gene. In other particular embodiments, a subject genetically modified mycobacterium has a functionally disabled APS kinase gene. In still other particular embodiments, a subject genetically altered mycobacterium has a functionally disabled sulfotransferase gene. Examples of such mycobacteria are found in Examples 3, 6, and 9. In some embodiments, a genetically altered mycobacterium is a strain that is normally pathogenic, but exhibits reduced virulence by virtue of the genetic modification. In particular embodiments, a subject genetically altered mycobacterium is M. tuberculosis. The present invention also provides immunogenic compositions comprising genetically altered mycobacterium, which compositions are described in more detail below.

[0125] Methods

[0126] The invention further provides screening methods and therapeutic methods. Screening methods identify agents that reduce an activity of a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide. Therapeutic methods of the invention include methods of treating a mycobacterial infection in an individual, methods of reducing viability of a pathogenic mycobacterium, methods of reducing virulence of a pathogenic mycobacterium, and methods of increasing a protective immune response to a mycobacterium.

[0127] Screening Assays

[0128] The present invention further provides in vitro screening assays to identify agents that modulate an activity of a component of a mycobacterial sulfation pathway, e.g., a component of a pathway whose end product is a sulfated macromolecule. The screening assays are designed to identify agents that are useful as therapeutic agents for treating mycobacterial infections. Both cell-based and cell-free assays are provided.

[0129] In some embodiments, the screening assays are cell-free screening assays. In these embodiments, the methods generally involve contacting a mycobacterial sulfation pathway component with a test agent, and determining the effect, if any, on an activity, e.g., an enzymatic activity, of the pathway component. Sulfation pathway components that are suitable for use in a cell-free screening assay include, but are not limited to, mycobacterial sulfotransferases; mycobacterial ATP-sulfurylases; mycobacterial APS kinases; mycobacterial PAS and PAPS reductases; and mycobacterial sulfatases. For example, recombinant M-ST polypeptide can be combined with ³⁵S-labeled sulfate donor such as [³⁵S]-PAPS, candidate inhibitor compound, and an acceptor molecule.

[0130] In other embodiments, the methods provide cell-based assays. In these embodiments, the methods generally involve contacting a host cell which produces an M-ST polypeptide with a labeled sulfate, e.g. ³⁵ S-labeled sulfate and a candidate agent, and determining the effect, if any, on the amount of sulfate incorporation into a substrate for the M-ST in the presence and absence of a candidate agent.

[0131] Suitable sulfate acceptor molecules include, but are not limited to, glycopeptidolipids (GPL), including, but not limited to, a GPL containing a 3,4,-di-O-methylrhamnose, and a GPL containing a 6-deoxy-talose; trehalose-containing glycolipids; and glycolipids or glycoproteins of mammalian origin.

[0132] A variety of different candidate agents (“test agents”) may be screened by the screening methods of the invention. Candidate agents encompass numerous chemical classes, though typically they are organic molecules, and may be small organic compounds having a molecular weight of more than 50 and less than about 2,500 daltons. Candidate agents comprise functional groups necessary for structural interaction with proteins, e.g., hydrogen bonding, and can include at least an amine, carbonyl, hydroxyl or carboxyl group, or at least two of the functional chemical groups. The candidate agents may comprise cyclical carbon or heterocyclic structures and/or aromatic or polyaromatic structures substituted with one or more of the above functional groups. Candidate agents are also found among biomolecules including peptides, saccharides, fatty acids, steroids, purines, pyrimidines, derivatives, structural analogs or combinations thereof.

[0133] Candidate agents, also referred to herein as “test agents”) are obtained from a wide variety of sources including libraries of synthetic or natural compounds. For example, numerous means are available for random and directed synthesis of a wide variety of organic compounds and biomolecules, including expression of randomized oligonucleotides and oligopeptides. Alternatively, libraries of natural compounds in the form of bacterial, fungal, plant and animal extracts are available or readily produced. Additionally, natural or synthetically produced libraries and compounds are readily modified through conventional chemical, physical and biochemical means, and may be used to produce combinatorial libraries. Known pharmacological agents may be subjected to directed or random chemical modifications, such as acylation, alkylation, esterification, amidification, etc. to produce structural analogs.

[0134] An agent of interest which modulates a sulfotransferase activity of a subject polypeptide decreases the activity at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, more preferably at least about 50%, more preferably at least about 100%, or 2-fold, more preferably at least about 5-fold, more preferably at least about 10-fold or more when compared to a suitable control.

[0135] Agents that decrease a sulfotransferase or other activity of a subject polypeptide to the desired extent may be selected for further study, and assessed for cellular availability, cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, etc. For example, a candidate agent is assessed for any cytotoxic activity it may exhibit toward a eukaryotic cell, using well-known assays, such as trypan blue dye exclusion, an MTT ([3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide]) assay, and the like. Agents that do not exhibit cytotoxic activity toward eukaryotic cells are considered candidate agents for use in therapeutic methods for treating a mycobacterial infection.

[0136] Cell-Free Assays

[0137] Cell-free assay methods generally comprise:

[0138] a) contacting a test agent with a sample containing a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide; and

[0139] b) assaying an activity of the mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide in the presence of the substance. An increase or a decrease in the measured activity in comparison to the activity in a suitable control (e.g., a sample comprising a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide in the absence of the substance being tested) is an indication that the substance modulates an activity of the mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide.

[0140] Cell-free assays may be designed in a number of ways. In some embodiments, a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide (e.g. M-ST) is combined with ³⁵S-labeled sulfate donor such as [³⁵S]-PAPS, a candidate inhibitor compound (“a test agent”), and an acceptor molecule, which may be a natural or synthetic GL, GPL, or a simple nucleophile capable of accepting sulfate (such as phenolic compunds, and the like). The amount of [³⁵S]-sulfate transferred to the acceptor by the candidate agent is then determined by counting the acceptor-associated radioactivity or product quantitation with an antibody specific for the sulfated acceptor, or in a suitable scintillation proximity assay format.

[0141] An “agent which inhibits a sulfotransferase activity of a mycobacterial sulfotransferase polypeptide”, as used herein, describes any molecule, e.g. synthetic or natural organic or inorganic compound, protein or pharmaceutical, with the capability of altering a sulfotransferase activity of a sulfotransferase polypeptide, as described herein. Generally a plurality of assay mixtures is run in parallel with different agent concentrations to obtain a differential response to the various concentrations. Typically one of these concentrations serves as a negative control, i.e. at zero concentration or below the level of detection. Sulfotransferase activity can be measured using any assay known in the art.

[0142] A variety of other reagents may be included in the screening assay. These include reagents like salts, neutral proteins, e.g. albumin, detergents, etc that are used to facilitate optimal protein-ligand binding and/or reduce non-specific or background interactions. Reagents that improve the efficiency of the assay, such as protease inhibitors, nuclease inhibitors, anti-microbial agents, etc. may be used.

[0143] The above screening methods may be designed a number of different ways, where a variety of assay configurations and protocols may be employed, as are known in the art. For example, one of the components may be bound to a solid support, and the remaining components contacted with the support bound component. The above components of the method may be combined at substantially the same time or at different times. Incubations are performed at any suitable temperature, typically between 4° and 40° C. Incubation periods are selected for optimum activity, but may also be optimized to facilitate rapid high-throughput screening. Typically between 0.1 and 1 hours will be sufficient. Following the contact and incubation steps, the subject methods will generally, though not necessarily, further include a washing step to remove unbound components, where such a washing step is generally employed when required to remove label that would give rise to a background signal during detection, such as radioactive or fluorescently labeled non-specifically bound components. Following the optional washing step, the amount of incorporated sulfate will then be detected.

[0144] Cell-Based Assays

[0145] Cell-based assay generally involve contacting a cell that produces a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide with a test agent, and determining the effect, if any, on an activity of the peptide.

[0146] In some embodiments, a cell is a mycobacterial cell that produces the mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide endogenously, or a cell, such as a mycobacterial cell, that is transformed with nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide. The cell is grown in a culture medium in the presence of a labeled sulfate (e.g., ³⁵SO₄) and the test agent. After a period of time, such as 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, or 12 hours, an extract of the cells is prepared, and the amount of radioactivity in a sulfated GL or GPL is measured, e.g., using thin-layer chromatography or other technique.

[0147] Genetic Complementation Assay

[0148] In some embodiments, a genetic complementation assay is provided. In these embodiments, a mutant bacterial cell that does not express a sulfation pathway gene (e.g., by virtue of being knocked out) is used. In some embodiments, a bacterial cell other than a mycobacterium is used. The mutant bacterium serves as a control, and is kept alive by providing necessary nutrients, and the like. A test bacterium is the mutant bacterium that has been genetically transformed with a nucleic acid that includes a sequence that encodes a functional mycobacterial sulfation pathway protein that the bacterium (e.g., by virtue of the knock-out, i.e., a genetic defect) lacks, thereby complementing the defect. The test bacterium and the control bacterium are individually contacted (e.g., in separate cultures) with a test agent. A test agent that kills the test bacterium, but not the control bacterium, is a candidate anti-mycobacterial agent. Viability of the bacterium is determined using standard methods, e.g., measuring the optical density of a culture grown in a liquid medium.

[0149] Thus, in some embodiments, the invention provides a method for identifying an agent that inhibits a mycobacterial sulfation pathway gene (e.g., inhibits transcription of the gene or translation of a corresponding mRNA) or gene product. The method generally involves contacting a test mutant bacterium and a control mutant bacterium with a test agent. The mutant bacterium does not produce a polypeptide encoded by the mycobacterial sulfation pathway gene by virtue of a genetic defect and that has been genetically transformed with a construct that includes a nucleotide sequence that encodes the mycobacterial sulfation pathway gene product, thereby genetically complementing the genetic defect. The control mutant bacterium includes the same mutation as the test mutant bacterium, but is not genetically complemented. The control mutant bacterium is maintained in medium that provides a component that keeps the bacterium alive despite the genetic defect. The effect of the test agent on the viability of the test mutant bacterium and the control mutant bacterium is determined. A decrease in the viability of the test mutant bacterium, and no decrease in the viability of the control mutant bacterium, indicates that the test agent is a candidate anti-mycobacterial agent.

[0150] This screening method can be generally applied to any mycobacterial sulfation pathway gene for which a knockout strain of another organism can be found and that satisfies three conditions: (1) The knockout or mutant organism is unable to survive under some or all conditions; (2) The knockout organism may be kept alive by genetic complementation with a gene supplied from another organism, the organism of interest (usually, but not necessarily, on a plasmid); and (3) The knockout organism may be kept alive through the administration of or supplementation by some external agent or agents.

[0151] External agents may include a substrate or compound that the knockout cell may be able to utilize to restore function; but may also include a second complementation gene that may work by a method unrelated to that of the first complementation gene to keep the knockout organism alive. The condition given in (3) functions as the control and the condition given in (2) functions as the experimental organism.

[0152] Thus, in some embodiments, the invention provides a method of identifying an agent that inhibits an activity of a mycobacterial sulfation pathway enzyme. The method generally involves culturing a first and a second bacterial cell in separate cultures in the presence of a test agent. The first and second bacterial cells contain a defect in a sulfation pathway enzyme, and the second bacterial cell has been transfected with a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a mycobacterial sulfation pathway enzyme that complements the defect. After a suitable period of time, the growth of the first bacterial cell and the growth of the second bacterial cell are compared, e.g., the number of bacteria in the first culture is compared with the number of bacteria in the second culture (e.g., by measuring optical density of the cultures). A slower rate of growth in the second culture, compared with the growth rate of the first culture, indicates that the agent specifically inhibits the mycobacterial sulfation pathway enzyme.

[0153] A suitable period of time for growing the bacteria is generally from about 1 hour to about 2 hours, from about 2 hours to about 4 hours, from about 4 hours to about 8 hours, from about 8 hours to about 16 hours, from about 16 hours to about 24 hours, from about 24 hours to about 36 hours, from about 36 hours to about 48 hours, or from about 48 hours to about 72 hours. Typically, the bacteria are grown (cultured) at a temperature of about 37° C.

[0154] A reduction in growth of the second culture, relative to the first culture, indicates that the agent specifically inhibits the mycobacterial sulfation pathway enzyme. Generally, a reduction of at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or at least about 90%, or more, of the second culture, compared to the growth of the first culture, indicates that the test agent inhibits the mycobacterial sulfation pathway enzyme and is therefore a candidate agent for treating a mycobacterial infection. For example, after a suitable time in culture, if the A₆₀₀ of the second culture is reduced by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or at least about 90%, compared to the A₆₀₀ of the first culture, then the test agent is of interest as a candidate agent for treating mycobacterial infection.

[0155] The following is one non-limiting example of such an assay. To discover inhibitors of mycobacterial APS reductase and APS kinase, the genetic complementation system described in Example 4 is used. The screening method is shown schematically in FIG. 22.

[0156] Survival or death of these E. coli mutant strains grown in minimal media is used in a real-time assay system. Specifically, the complementation plasmids bearing the CysH and CysC genes described above allows E. coli JM81A to survive in minimal media using sulfate as the sole sulfur source through complementing the defective pathway in this strain. The knockout strain may be used as a control, being kept alive by the administration of either cysteine or methionine, thereby bypassing the defective pathway. Test compounds are administered to each, namely the complemented strain and the control strain, and the strains monitored for survival by measuring their cell density (usually absorbance measured on a spectrophotometer at 600 nm wavelength). An example of such an assay is shown in FIG. 23.

[0157] There are four possible outcomes.

[0158] (1) Both the complemented strain and the control strain survive,

[0159] (2) both strains die;

[0160] (3) the complemented strain dies and the control strain lives; or

[0161] (4) the complemented strain lives while the control strain dies.

[0162] In case (1) the compound has no activity. In case (2) the compound is not selective in its activity. In case (4) the compound has no activity against the gene borne on the complementation plasmid. However, in case (3), whatever factor the compound is acting upon in the complemented strain differs from that in the control strain. In this case it is likely that the compound is actually acting to inhibit the gene or gene product borne on the complementation plasmid. Thus, compounds that give a response corresponding to outcome (3) represent lead compounds that are likely to be inhibitors of APS kinase or APS reductase. These compounds should have the desirable properties of selectivity (being active against only the gene in question among all of the other essential genes in E. coli, and also of being bioavailable, that is they are able to enter the cell (in this case E. coli) and to act on the desired target.

[0163] Therapeutic Methods

[0164] Methods of Treating a Mycobacterial Infection

[0165] The invention further provides methods of treating a mycobacterial infection in an individual. The methods generally involve administering to an individual a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that reduces a level and/or an activity of a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide, wherein the agent contacts a mycobacterium in the individual and reduces viability and/or virulence of the mycobacterium.

[0166] An agent that reduces a level and/or activity of a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide is administered to an individual in a therapeutically effective amount. As used herein, a “therapeutically effective amount” of an agent that reduces an activity and/or a level of a mycobacterial sulfation pathway polypeptide is an amount that is sufficient to reduce viability and/or virulence by at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or more, compared to the viability and/or virulence of the mycobacterium not contacted with the agent.

[0167] Whether an agent reduces the viability and/or virulence of a mycobacterium can be readily determined by those skilled in the art using standard methods. The term “virulence” encompasses two features of a pathogenic organism: its infectivity (i.e., the ability to colonize a host) and the severity of the disease produced. Virulence can be expressed as the LD₅₀, i.e., the dose that will kill 50% of inoculated animals within a given time. Virulence can also be expressed as transmissibility, i.e., the ability of a bacterium to cause a demonstrable infection in a given animal host. Transmissibility is usually detected by culture methods. The dose required is the ID₅₀, the infection dose in 50% of animals. Virulence can also be expressed as communicability. Virulence can be tested using any known assay, including, but not limited to, mouse colony formation assay, in which the number of mycobacterial colonies in the lung of infected mice is counted at various time points after infection; and macrophage infectivity assays. Other laboratory animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs can also be used. Virulence can also be determined in a cell culture assay using macrophages. Bacteria are incubated with cultured macrophages and the number of bacteria that enter the macrophages determined by washing the macrophages, lysing them, culturing their contents on plates, and counting “colony forming units.”

[0168] Methods of Increasing an Immune Response to a Mycobacterium

[0169] The invention further provides methods of eliciting an immune response to a pathogenic mycobacterium (e.g., a wild-type, virulent mycobacterium) in a host. The methods generally involve administering to a mammalian host a subject genetically altered mycobacterium (e.g., a subject genetically altered mycobacterium that is avirulent, that exhibits reduced virulence, or that is attenuated). The host mounts an immune response to the genetically altered mycobacterium. In embodiments of particular interest, the immune response provides protection against a virulent strain of mycobacterium.

[0170] In some embodiments, a subject avirulent mycobacterium that is administered is of the same species as the virulent mycobacterium, and an immune response is generated to both the avirulent and the virulent mycobacterium. In other embodiments, the avirulent mycobacterium is a different species than the virulent mycobacterium, and an immune response is generated to both the avirulent and the virulent mycobacterium. In some embodiments, administration of a subject avirulent mycobacterium elicits an immune response to more than one species of virulent mycobacterium.

[0171] A subject genetically altered mycobacterium is administered to a host. The term “virulent” in the context of mycobacteria refers to a bacterium or strain of bacteria that replicates within a host cell or animal at a rate that is detrimental to the cell or animal within its host range. More particularly virulent mycobacteria persist longer in a host than avirulent mycobacteria. Virulent mycobacteria are typically disease producing and infection leads to various disease states including fulminant disease in the lung, disseminated systemic milliary tuberculosis, tuberculosis meningitis, and tuberculosis abscesses of various tissues. Infection by virulent mycobacteria often results in death of the host organism. Typically, infection of guinea pigs is used as an assay for mycobacterial virulence. In contrast, the term “avirulent” or “attenuated” refers to a bacterium or strain of bacteria that either does not replicate within a host cell or animal within its host range, or replicates at a rate that is not significantly detrimental to the cell or animal.

[0172] Acceptable routes of administration include, but are not limited to, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, oral, inhalational (e.g., intranasal, oral, intratracheal), and the like. Typically, an immunogenic composition as described below is administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation, using conventional routes of administration. Additional acceptable routes of administration are as discussed below for therapeutic agents.

[0173] In response to administration of a subject genetically altered mycobacterium, a host mounts an immune response to the genetically altered mycobacterium, and, in many embodiments, to virulent strains of mycobacterium. An immune response includes, but is not limited to, a humoral immune response, wherein mycobacteria-specific antibodies are produced; and a cellular immune response, in which mycobacteria-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are produced. Whether mycobacteria-specific antibodies and/or CTLs are produced can be determined using any known assay. Such assays are standard in the art.

[0174] In many embodiments, an immune response to a genetically altered mycobacterium provides immunoprotection against one or more virulent strains of mycobacteria. Whether an immune response is immunoprotective can be determined, e.g., in an experimental animal, by counting the number of virulent mycobacteria in the animal at various time points (e.g., 7 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 6 months or longer) after challenge with a virulent strain of mycobacterium. An immune response is immunoprotective if the number of virulent mycobacterium in the animal is reduced by at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or at least about 90%, or more, when compared with an animal that was not administered with the genetically altered mycobacterium before challenge with a virulent mycobacterial strain, where the comparison is made at the same time point after challenge.

[0175] Intracellular Pathogen Infections Amenable to Treatment

[0176] The methods and compositions described herein can be used in the treatment or prevention of any of a variety of infections by a mycobacterial species. Of particular interest is the treatment and/or prevention of infection or disease by M tuberculosis, M. avium (or M. avium-intracellulare), M. leprae (particularly M. leprae infection leading to tuberculoid leprosy), M. kansasii, M. fortuitum, M. chelonae, and M. absecessus. While treatment of humans is of particular interest, the methods of the invention can also be used to prevent intracellular pathogen infection or disease in non-human subjects. For example, M. avium causes lymphadenitis in slaughter pigs; M. paratuberculosis infection causes paratuberculosis, a tuberculosis-like disease that can result in great production losses in cattle, sheep and goats; and M. bovis is carried by cattle and can cause a tuberculin-like infection in humans.

[0177] Individuals amenable to treatment with an agent of the invention include any individual diagnosed with an active mycobacterial infection. Individuals amenable to treatment also include individuals deemed to be at risk of having an active mycobacterial infection. At risk individuals include, but are not limited to, individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

[0178] Individuals to be vaccinated include individuals that have never been infected with a mycobacterium; and individuals who have a latent mycobacterial infection.

[0179] Therapeutic Agents

[0180] The invention further provides an agent identified using a screening method of the invention. In many embodiments, an agent identified by a screening method of the invention reduces viability and/or virulence of a pathogenic mycobacterium. Whether an agent has activity in reducing viability and/or virulence of a pathogenic mycobacterium can be determined using any known assay.

[0181] In vitro cell cultures are accepted by those skilled in the art as assays for determining the susceptibility of M. tuberculosis and other mycobacteria to inhibitory compounds. See, e.g., Mor et al. (Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 39:2073-2077, (1975)). A variety of assays are known to mimic physiological conditions and these include, but are not limited to Mor, et al. (supra) and Mor et al., Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 38:1161-1164, 1994. In these assays, cells susceptible to infection by M. tuberculosis, other mycobacteria are placed in culture in vitro. There are a number of different cell types that can be used that are susceptible to intracellular pathogens, including, but not limited to, macrophages and monocytes. Mononuclear phagocytes can be obtained as established cells lines or as primary cells taken from a patient, where the patient cells are placed into culture and used within several months. Primary human monocytes, tissue monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) or myeloid cell lines including HL60, U937 or THP-1 cells can be used. Myeloid cell lines are known in the art and are readily available from the ATCC (American Type Culture Collection, Rockville Md.).

[0182] Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) can be used to generate primary monocytes and MDMs. These cells are readily isolated from heparinized blood on Ficoll-sodium diatrizoate gradients (Pharmacia Fine Chemical, Piscataway, N.J.) or the like. PBMC are cultured in wells at about 1.5 to about 2.0×10⁶ mononuclear cells/ml and the monocytes or MDMs subsequently purified by adherence to glass or plastic.

[0183] Isolated alveolar macrophages can be obtained using lung lavage collection methods well known in the art. For lavage methods and the isolation of alveolar macrophages from the bronchial lavage fluid see McGowan, et al. Lung 169:215-226, 1991 and McGowan, et al. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 127:449-455, 1983 respectively.

[0184] Suspensions of bacterial pathogen can be tested in broth culture initially, if necessary or desired, to determine whether or not a compound or compounds directly inhibit the growth of the pathogen in suspension culture. There are a number of suspension culture methods known in the art.

[0185] A test agent can also be tested for its ability to inhibit intracellular pathogens in tissue culture assays. In general, in these assays, the macrophages are placed in culture and incubated with the intracellular pathogen at an approximate cell to pathogen ratio of preferably at least 1:1 to about 1:5 cells:pathogen. For assays assessing M. tuberculosis infection, freshly adherent monocytes, 12 day-old adherent MDMs, or freshly adherent alveolar macrophages are incubated with M. tuberculosis or other pathogenic mycobacterium at a ratio of about 1:1 to about 1:5 (phagocyte:bacterium). For M. tuberculosis, e.g., the bacteria are incubated with the phagocyte for 2 hr at 37° C. in RPMI/HEPES media with 2.5% serum or human serum albumin (serum-free).

[0186] The cells are washed to remove non-adherent bacteria and monolayers are replated with RPMI containing 1% autologous serum (to maintain phagocyte viability but not to sustain extracellular growth of bacteria). A test agent is added about 24 hours later and mycobacterial growth in cell lysates is then assessed over the next several days either by the radiometric BACTEC system or by colony-forming units on agarose plates. In each experiment, growth is assessed relative to control monolayers where no drug has been added.

[0187] Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are other assays that could be used to assess growth inhibition including assays to differentiate between pathogen stasis or pathogen death by plating cell lysates onto or into media known to support growth of the particular pathogen.

[0188] Whether an agent reduces virulence can be determined using any known assay for virulence.

[0189] In some embodiments, an active agent of the invention inhibits a mycobacterial APS kinase and/or a mycobacterial APS reductase. In some embodiments, the subject compounds and compositions thereof comprise a secondary amine having a first, hetero-aromatic group and a second, aromatic or cyclic ester group. The first, hetero-aromatic group may comprise any substituted or unsubstituted carbon and nitrogen containing heteroaromatic group, any substituted or unsubstituted carbon, nitrogen and oxygen containing heteroaromatic group, or any substituted or unsubstituted carbon, nitrogen and sulfur containing heteroaromatic group. The second group may comprise any substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or other aromatic group, or any substituted or unsubstituted cyclic ester.

[0190] More specifically, the subject compounds may comprise a secondary amine having the structure:

[0191] wherein A comprises a hetero-aromatic group, B comprises an aromatic group or a cyclic ester, and Z comprises a bi-functional moiety that links group B to the secondary amine nitrogen. The group Z may be omitted in certain embodiments.

[0192] By way of example, and not necessarily of limitation, the group A may comprise

[0193] wherein D₁ through D₇ each may independently comprise either carbon or nitrogen, and X₁-X₅ each may independently comprise hydrogen or any functionality. The groups X₁-X₅ thus may each comprise, for example, hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, hetero-aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, amino, azido, alkylamino, halo, carboxyl, or other functional group, and stereoisomers, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0194] In other embodiments, the group A may comprise:

[0195] wherein Y is either oxygen or sulfur, and wherein X₁ and X₂ each may comprise hydrogen or any other functionality such as, for example, an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, hetero-aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, amino, alkylamino, halo, carboxyl, or other group, and stereoisomers, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In some of the specific embodiments discussed below, the group A comprises:

[0196] and wherein the groups X₁-X₅ each more specifically may comprise hydrogen, hydroxyl, methyl and/or alkylamino groups.

[0197] The group B may comprise, by way of example:

[0198] wherein X₁-X₃ each may comprise hydrogen or any functionality such as alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, hetero-aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, amino, azido, alkylamino, halo, carboxyl, or other functional group, and stereoisomers, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In specific embodiments described below, the group B comprises a 4-aminophenyl, 4-azidophenyl, 3-hydroxyphenly, and a 2-carboxyphenyl group.

[0199] In still other embodiments, the group B may comprise:

[0200] wherein X₁-X₂ each may independently comprise hydrogen or any functionality such as, for example, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, keto, aryl, hetero-aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, amino, alkylamino, azido, halo, carboxyl, or other functional group, and stereoisomers, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In a specific embodiment discussed below, the group B may comprise:

[0201] The group Z may comprise a methylene, aryl methylene, ethelyene, arylmethylene, ethelyene oxide, propylyene, propylene oxide, sulfone (—SO2—), imido, keto, ether, thioether, ester, or any other group capable of linking the group B to the secondary amine functionality. In certain embodiments, the group Z may be omitted such that group B is directly joined or bonded to the secondary amine functionality.

[0202] More specifically, in certain embodiments a subject compound may comprise the following general formula:

[0203] where X₁ and X₂ are each independently an ether (—O—), thioether (—S—), sulfone (—SO₂—), —NH—, or —CH₂—, and where each of R₁-R₉ is independently a hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, keto, aryl, hetero-aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, amino, alkylamino, azido, halo, carboxyl, or other functional group; and stereoisomers, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0204] In other embodiments, a subject compound may comprise the general formula:

[0205] where each of X₁ and X₂ may independently comprise an ether (—O—), thioether (—S—), sulfone (—SO₂—), —NH—, or —CH₂—; and where each of R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ is independently a hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, keto, aryl, hetero-aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, amino, alkylamino, azido, halo, carboxyl, or other functional group; and stereoisomers, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0206] In still other embodiments, a subject compound may have the generic formula:

[0207] where each of X₁-X₇ may independently comprise an ether (—O—), thioether (—S—), sulfone (—SO₂—), N, —NH—, or —CH₂—; and where each of R₁-R₉ is independently a hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, keto, aryl, hetero-aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, amino, alkylamino, azido, halo, carboxyl, or other functional group; and stereoisomers, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0208] In further embodiments, a subject compound may have the general formula:

[0209] where each of X₁ and X₂ may independently comprise an ether (—O—), thioether (—S—), sulfone (—SO₂—), N, —NH—, or —CH₂—; and where each of R₁-R₁₃ is independently a hydrogen, carboxyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, keto, aryl, hetero-aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, amino, alkylamino, azido, halo, or other functional group; and stereoisomers, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0210] In other embodiments, a subject compound may have the general formula:

[0211] where X comprises N, C, O or S; and where each of R₁-R₇ is independently a hydrogen, carboxyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, keto, aryl, hetero-aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, amino, alkylamino, azido, halo, or other functional group; and stereoisomers, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0212] In other embodiments, a subject compound may have the general formula:

[0213] where each of X₁, X₂, and X₃ independently comprise C, N, O or S; and where each of R₁-R₉ is independently a hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, keto, aryl, hetero-aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, amino, alkylamino, azido, halo, carboxyl, or other functional group; and stereoisomers, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0214] “Acyl” is a specie of heteroalkyl wherein a terminal carbon of the heteroalkyl group is in the form of a carbonyl group, i.e., (alkyl or heteroalkyl)-C═O, where examples include acetyl (CH₃—(C═O)—).

[0215] “Acyloxy” refers to a heteroalkylene group of the formula —C(═O)—O— bonded to “X” so as to form —C(═O)—O—X wherein X may be any of alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, or heteroaryl.

[0216] “Alkenyl” is a specie of alkyl group, where an alkenyl group has at least one carbon-carbon double bond.

[0217] “Alkenylene” is a specie of alkylene group where the alkylene group has at least one double bond.

[0218] “Alkyl” is a monovalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight, branched or cyclic, aliphatic (i.e., not aromatic) hydrocarbon group. In various embodiments, the alkyl group has 1-20 carbon atoms, i.e., is a C1-C20 (or C₁-C₂₀) group, or is a C1-C18 group, a C1-C12 group, a C1-C6 group, or a C1-C4 group. Independently, in various embodiments, the alkyl group: has zero branches (i.e., is a straight chain), one branch, two branches, or more than two branches; is saturated; is unsaturated (where an unsaturated alkyl group may have one double bond, two double bonds, more than two double bonds, and/or one triple bond, two triple bonds, or more than three triple bonds); is, or includes, a cyclic structure; is acyclic. Exemplary alkyl groups include C₁ alkyl (i.e., —CH₃ (methyl)), C₂ alkyl (i.e., —CH₂CH₃ (ethyl), —CH═CH₂ (ethenyl) and —C≡CH (ethynyl)) and C₃ alkyl (i.e., —CH₂CH₂CH₃ (n-propyl), —CH(CH₃)₂ (1-propyl), —CH═CH—CH₃ (1-propenyl), —C≡C—CH₃ (1-propynyl), —CH₂—CH═CH₂ (2-propenyl), —CH₂—C≡CH (2-propynyl), —C(CH₃)═CH₂ (1-methylethenyl), and —CH(CH₂)₂ (cyclopropyl)).

[0219] “Alkylene” is a polyvalent, saturated or unsaturated, straight, branched or cyclic, aliphatic (i.e., not aromatic) hydrocarbon group. In various embodiments, the alkylene group has 1-20 carbon atoms, i.e., is a C1-C20 group, or is a C1-C18 group, a C1-C12 group, a C1-C6 group, or a C1-C4 group. Independently, in various embodiments, the alkylene group: has zero branches (i.e., is a straight chain), one branch, two branches, or more than two branches; is saturated; is unsaturated (where an unsaturated alkylene group may have one double bond, two double bonds, more than two double bonds, and/or one triple bond, two triple bonds, or more than three triple bonds); is or contains a cyclic group; is acyclic; is divalent, i.e., has two open sites that each bond to a non-alkylene group; is trivalent, i.e., has three open sites that each bond to a non-alkylene group; has more than three open sites. Exemplary alkylene groups include C₁alkylene (i.e., —CH₂—) and C₂ alkylene (i.e., —CH₂CH₂—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —C(═CH₂)—, and —CH(CH₃)—).

[0220] “Aralkenyl” is another name for arylalkenylene, wherein at least one of the open bonding sites of an alkenylene group is bonded to an aryl group.

[0221] “Aralkyl” is another name for arylalkylene, wherein at least one of the open bonding sites of an alkylene group is bonded to an aryl group, where benzyl is an example.

[0222] “Aryl” is a monovalent, aromatic, hydrocarbon, ring system. The ring system may be monocyclic or fused polycyclic (e.g., bicyclic, tricyclic, etc.). In various embodiments, the monocyclic aryl ring is C5-C10, or C5-C7, or C5-C6, where these carbon numbers refer to the number of carbon atoms that form the ring system. A C6 ring system, i.e., a phenyl ring, is an exemplary aryl group. In various embodiments, the polycyclic ring is a bicyclic aryl group, where exemplary bicyclic aryl groups are C8-C12, or C9-C10. A naphthyl ring, which has 10 carbon atoms, is an exemplary polycyclic aryl group.

[0223] “Arylene” is a polyvalent, aromatic hydrocarbon, ring system. The ring system may be monocyclic or fused polycyclic (e.g., bicyclic, tricyclic, etc.). In various embodiments, the monocyclic arylene group is C5-C10, or C5-C7, or C5-C6, where these carbon numbers refer to the number of carbon atoms that form the ring system. A C6 ring system, i.e., a phenylene ring, is an exemplary aryl group. In various embodiments, the polycyclic ring is a bicyclic arylene group, where exemplary bicyclic arylene groups are C8-C12, or C9-C10. A naphthylene ring, which has 10 carbon atoms, is an exemplary polycyclic aryl group. The arylene group may be divalent, i.e., it has two open sites that each bond to another group; or trivalent, i.e., it has three open sites that each bond to another group; or it may have more than three open sites.

[0224] “Cycloalkenyl” is a specie of alkyl group where a cycloalkenyl group is a cyclic hydrocarbon group with at least one double bond.

[0225] “Cycloalkenylene” is a specie of alkylene group which is a cyclic hydrocarbon with at least one double bond and with at least two bonding sites.

[0226] “Cycloalkyl” is a specie of alkyl group, where a cycloalkyl is a cyclic hydrocarbon group.

[0227] “Cycloalkylalkylene” is a species of alkyl group wherein at least one open bonding site of an alkylene group is joined to a cycloalkyl group.

[0228] “Cycloalkylene” is a specie of alkylene group which is a cyclic hydrocarbon group with at least two open bonding sites.

[0229] “Cycloalkylenealkylene” is a specie of alkylene group wherein a cycloalkylene group is bonded to a non-cyclic alkylene group, and each of the cycloalkylene and non-cyclic alkylene group have at least one open bonding site.

[0230] Haloalkyl is a specie of heteroalkyl wherein at least one carbon of an alkyl group is bonded to at least one halogen.

[0231] “Halogen” refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodide. Fluorine and chlorine are exemplary halogens in compounds and compositions of the present invention.

[0232] Heteroalkylenearyl is a heteroalkylene group with at least one of its open bonding sites joined to an aryl group, where benzoyl (—C(═O)-Ph) is an example.

[0233] “Heteroalkyl” is an alkyl group (as defined herein) wherein at least one of the carbon atoms is replaced with a heteroatom. Exemplary heteroatoms are nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and halogen. A heteroatom may, but typically does not, have the same number of valence sites as carbon. Accordingly, when a carbon is replaced with a heteroatom, the number of hydrogens bonded to the heteroatom may need to be increased or decreased to match the number of valence sites of the heteroatom. For instance, if carbon (valence of four) is replaced with nitrogen (valence of three), then one of the hydrogens formerly attached to the replaced carbon must be deleted. Likewise, if carbon is replaced with halogen (valence of one), then three (i.e., all) of the hydrogens formerly bonded to the replaced carbon must be deleted.

[0234] “Heteroalkylene” is an alkylene group (as defined herein) wherein at least one of the carbon atoms is replaced with a heteroatom. Exemplary heteroatoms are nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and halogen. A heteroatom may, but typically does not, have the same number of valence sites as carbon. Accordingly, when a carbon is replaced with a heteroatom, the number of hydrogens bonded to the heteroatom may need to be increased or decreased to match the number of valence sites of the heteroatom, as explained elsewhere herein.

[0235] “Heteroaralkenyl” is another name for heteroarylalkenylene, wherein at least one of the open bonding sites of an alkenylene group is bonded to a heteroaryl group.

[0236] “Heteroaralkyl” is another name for heteroarylalkylene, wherein at least one of the open bonding sites of an alkylene group is bonded to a heteroalkyl group.

[0237] “Heteroaryl” is a monovalent aromatic ring system containing carbon and at least one heteroatom in the ring. The heteroaryl group may, in various embodiments, have one heteroatom, or 1-2 heteroatoms, or 1-3 heteroatoms, or 1-4 heteroatoms in the ring. Heteroaryl rings may be monocyclic or polycyclic, where the polycyclic ring may contained fused, spiro or bridged ring junctions. In one embodiment, the heteroaryl is selected from monocyclic and bicyclic. Monocyclic heteroaryl rings may contain from about 5 to about 10 member atoms (carbon and heteroatoms), e.g., from 5-7, or from 5-6 member atoms in the ring. Bicyclic heteroaryl rings may contain from about 8-12 member atoms, or 9-10 member atoms in the ring. The heteroaryl ring may be unsubstituted or substituted. In one embodiment, the heteroaryl ring is unsubstituted. In another embodiment, the heteroaryl ring is substituted. Exemplary heteroaryl groups include benzofuran, benzothiophene, furan, imidazole, indole, isothiazole, oxazole, piperazine, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridazine, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, quinoline, thiazole and thiophene.

[0238] “Heteroarylene” is a polyvalent aromatic ring system containing carbon and at least one heteroatom in the ring. In other words, a heteroarylene group is a heteroaryl group that has more than one open site for bonding to other groups. The heteroarylene group may, in various embodiments, have one heteroatom, or 1-2 heteroatoms, or 1-3 heteroatoms, or 1-4 heteroatoms in the ring. Heteroarylene rings may be monocyclic or polycyclic, where the polycyclic ring may contained fused, spiro or bridged ring junctions. In one embodiment, the heteroaryl is selected from monocyclic and bicyclic. Monocyclic heteroarylene rings may contain from about 5 to about 10 member atoms (carbon and heteroatoms), e.g., from 5-7, or from 5-6 member atoms in the ring. Bicyclic heteroarylene rings may contain from about 8-12 member atoms, or 9-10 member atoms in the ring.

[0239] “Heteroatom” is a halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon or sulfur atom. Groups containing more than one heteroatom may contain different heteroatoms.

[0240] “Pharmaceutically acceptable salt” and “salts thereof” in the compounds of the present invention refers to acid addition salts and base addition salts.

[0241] Acid addition salts refer to those salts formed from compounds of the present invention and inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, and/or organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid and the like.

[0242] Base addition salts refer to those salts formed from compounds of the present invention and inorganic bases such as sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum salts and the like. Suitable salts include the ammonium, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, trimethamine, dicyclohexylamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaines, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, methylglucamine, theobromine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, and the like.

[0243] Non-limiting examples of biologically active compounds are found in Example 5.

[0244] Formulations, Dosages, and Routes of Administration

[0245] Formulations

[0246] In the subject methods, the active agent(s) may be administered to a host using any convenient means capable of resulting in treatment of a mycobacterial infection.

[0247] Thus, the agent can be incorporated into a variety of formulations for therapeutic administration. More particularly, the agents of the present invention can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions by combination with appropriate, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents, and may be formulated into preparations in solid, semi-solid, liquid or gaseous forms, such as tablets, capsules, powders, granules, ointments, solutions, suppositories, injections, inhalants and aerosols.

[0248] In pharmaceutical dosage forms, the agents may be administered in the form of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or they may also be used alone or in appropriate association, as well as in combination, with other pharmaceutically active compounds. The following methods and excipients are merely exemplary and are in no way limiting.

[0249] For oral preparations, the agents can be used alone or in combination with appropriate additives to make tablets, powders, granules or capsules, for example, with conventional additives, such as lactose, mannitol, corn starch or potato starch; with binders, such as crystalline cellulose, cellulose derivatives, acacia, corn starch or gelatins; with disintegrators, such as corn starch, potato starch or sodium carboxymethylcellulose; with lubricants, such as talc or magnesium stearate; and if desired, with diluents, buffering agents, moistening agents, preservatives and flavoring agents.

[0250] The agents can be formulated into preparations for injection by dissolving, suspending or emulsifying them in an aqueous or nonaqueous solvent, such as vegetable or other similar oils, synthetic aliphatic acid glycerides, esters of higher aliphatic acids or propylene glycol; and if desired, with conventional additives such as solubilizers, isotonic agents, suspending agents, emulsifying agents, stabilizers and preservatives.

[0251] The agents can be utilized in aerosol formulation to be administered via inhalation. The compounds of the present invention can be formulated into pressurized acceptable propellants such as dichlorodifluoromethane, propane, nitrogen and the like.

[0252] Furthermore, the agents can be made into suppositories by mixing with a variety of bases such as emulsifying bases or water-soluble bases. The compounds of the present invention can be administered rectally via a suppository. The suppository can include vehicles such as cocoa butter, carbowaxes and polyethylene glycols, which melt at body temperature, yet are solidified at room temperature.

[0253] Unit dosage forms for oral or rectal administration such as syrups, elixirs, and suspensions may be provided wherein each dosage unit, for example, teaspoonful, tablespoonful, tablet or suppository, contains a predetermined amount of the composition containing one or more inhibitors. Similarly, unit dosage forms for injection or intravenous administration may comprise the inhibitor(s) in a composition as a solution in sterile water, normal saline or another pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0254] The term “unit dosage form,” as used herein, refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human and animal subjects, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of compounds of the present invention calculated in an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier or vehicle. The specifications for the novel unit dosage forms of the present invention depend on the particular compound employed and the effect to be achieved, and the pharmacodynamics associated with each compound in the host.

[0255] Other modes of administration will also find use with the subject invention. For instance, an agent of the invention can be formulated in suppositories and, in some cases, aerosol and intranasal compositions. For suppositories, the vehicle composition will include traditional binders and carriers such as, polyalkylene glycols, or triglycerides. Such suppositories may be formed from mixtures containing the active ingredient in the range of about 0.5% to about 10% (w/w), generally about 1% to about 2%.

[0256] Intranasal formulations will usually include vehicles that neither cause irritation to the nasal mucosa nor significantly disturb ciliary function. Diluents such as water, aqueous saline or other known substances can be employed with the subject invention. The nasal formulations may also contain preservatives such as, but not limited to, chlorobutanol and benzalkonium chloride. A surfactant may be present to enhance absorption of the subject proteins by the nasal mucosa.

[0257] An agent of the invention can be administered as injectables. Typically, injectable compositions are prepared as liquid solutions or suspensions; solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in, liquid vehicles prior to injection may also be prepared. The preparation may also be emulsified or the active ingredient encapsulated in liposome vehicles.

[0258] Suitable excipient vehicles are, for example, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, or the like, and combinations thereof. In addition, if desired, the vehicle may contain minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents or pH buffering agents. Actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are known, or will be apparent, to those skilled in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 17th edition, 1985. The composition or formulation to be administered will, in any event, contain a quantity of the agent adequate to achieve the desired state in the subject being treated.

[0259] The pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, such as vehicles, adjuvants, carriers or diluents, are readily available to the public. Moreover, pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances, such as pH adjusting and buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, stabilizers, wetting agents and the like, are readily available to the public.

[0260] Dosages

[0261] Although the dosage used will vary depending on the clinical goals to be achieved, a suitable dosage range is one which provides up to about 1 μg to about 1,000 μg or about 10,000 μg of an agent that treats a mycobacterial infection. Alternatively, a target dosage of a subject agent can be considered to be about in the range of about 0.1-1000 μM, about 0.5-500 μM, about 1-100 μM, or about 5-50 μM in a sample of host blood drawn within the first 24-48 hours after administration of the agent.

[0262] Those of skill will readily appreciate that dose levels can vary as a function of the specific compound, the severity of the symptoms and the susceptibility of the subject to side effects. Preferred dosages for a given compound are readily determinable by those of skill in the art by a variety of means.

[0263] Routes of Administration

[0264] A therapeutic agent is administered to an individual using any available method and route suitable for drug delivery, including in vivo and ex vivo methods, as well as systemic and localized routes of administration.

[0265] Conventional and pharmaceutically acceptable routes of administration include intranasal, intramuscular, intratracheal, intratumoral, subcutaneous, intradermal, topical application, intravenous, rectal, nasal, oral and other parenteral routes of administration. Routes of administration may be combined, if desired, or adjusted depending upon the agent and/or the desired effect. The composition can be administered in a single dose or in multiple doses.

[0266] The agent can be administered to a host using any available conventional methods and routes suitable for delivery of conventional drugs, including systemic or localized routes. In general, routes of administration contemplated by the invention include, but are not necessarily limited to, enteral, parenteral, or inhalational routes.

[0267] Parenteral routes of administration other than inhalation administration include, but are not necessarily limited to, topical, transdermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraorbital, intracapsular, intraspinal, intrasternal, and intravenous routes, i.e., any route of administration other than through the alimentary canal. Parenteral administration can be carried to effect systemic or local delivery of the agent. Where systemic delivery is desired, administration typically involves invasive or systemically absorbed topical or mucosal administration of pharmaceutical preparations.

[0268] The agent can also be delivered to the subject by enteral administration. Enteral routes of administration include, but are not necessarily limited to, oral and rectal (e.g., using a suppository) delivery.

[0269] Methods of administration of the agent through the skin or mucosa include, but are not necessarily limited to, topical application of a suitable pharmaceutical preparation, transdermal transmission, injection and epidermal administration. For transdermal transmission, absorption promoters or iontophoresis are suitable methods. Iontophoretic transmission may be accomplished using commercially available “patches” which deliver their product continuously via electric pulses through unbroken skin for periods of several days or more.

[0270] Kits with unit doses of the active agent, e.g. in oral or injectable doses, are provided. In such kits, in addition to the containers containing the unit doses will be an informational package insert describing the use and attendant benefits of the drugs in treating pathological condition of interest. Preferred compounds and unit doses are those described herein above.

[0271] Combination Therapies

[0272] In some embodiments, a therapeutic agent of the invention is administered in combination with a conventional anti-pathogenic agent in treatment of a mycobacterial infection. The additional anti-pathogenic agent may be any agent (e.g., chemotherapeutic agent) identified as having activity against the intracellular pathogen of interest (e.g., in inhibition of extracellular or intracellular growth stages of the intracellular pathogen (e.g., mycobacteria), enhancement of intracellular pathogen clearance (e.g., mycobacteria), etc.). Exemplary anti-pathogenic agents include, but are not necessarily limited to, antibiotics, including antimicrobial agents, (e.g., bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal agents (e.g., aminoglycosides, β-lactam antibiotics, cephalosporins, macrolides, penicillins, tetracyclines, quinolones, and the like), antivirals (e.g., amprenavirs, acyclovirs, amantadines, virus penciclovirs, and the like), and the like), antifungals, (e.g., imidazoles, triazoles, allylamines, polyenes, and the like), as well as anti-parasitic agents (e.g., atovaquones, chloroquines, pyrimethamines, ivermectins, mefloquines, pentamidines, primaquines, and the like). Where the subject being treated is particularly susceptible to infection by intracellular pathogens, including opportunistic pathogens, it may be desirable to administer a subject therapeutic agent in a combination therapeutic regimen with chemotherapeutic agents that exhibit activity against microbial and/or parasitic pathogens, e.g., antimicrobial agents, antiviral agents, antifungal agents, anti-parasitic agents, etc. Such combination therapies can involve simultaneous or consecutive administration of an anti-mycobacterial agent of the invention and such a chemotherapeutic agent(s).

[0273] Specific exemplary conventional anti-pathogenic/chemotherapeutic agents and combinatory therapies, particularly anti-mycobacterial agents and combinatory therapies, include, but are not necessarily limited to, clarithromycin (e.g., by oral administration or injection); capreomycin sulfate (e.g., by intramuscular injection or intravenous infusion, e.g., CAPASTAT®); ethambutol HCl (e.g., by oral administration of tablets or capsules, e.g., MYAMBUTOL®; isoniazid (e.g., by intramuscular injection or oral administration, e.g., NYDRAZID®); aminosalicylic acid (e.g., aminosalicyclic acid granules for oral administration, e.g., PASER® GRANULES); rifapentine (e.g., by oral administration; e.g., PRIFTIN®); PYRAZINAMIDE (e.g., by oral administration); rifampin (e.g., by oral administration, e.g., RIFADIN®, or by intravenous administration, e.g., RIFADIN IV®); rifampin and isoniazid combination therapy (e.g., by oral administration, e.g., RIFAMATE®); rifampin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide combination therapy (e.g., by oral administration, e.g. RIFATER®; cycloserine (e.g., by oral administration, e.g., SEROMYCIN®); streptomycin sulfate (e.g., by injection or oral administration); ethionamide (e.g., by oral administration, e.g., TRECATOR®-SC), and the like.

[0274] The anti-pathogenic/chemotherapeutic agent and therapeutic agent of the invention can be administered within the same or different formulation; by the same or different routes; or concurrently, simultaneously, or consecutively. The therapeutic agent can be delivered according to a regimen (e.g., frequency during a selected interval (e.g., number of times per day), delivery route, etc.) that is the same as, similar to, or different from that of the anti-pathogenic agent. When administered in combination, a therapeutic agent of the invention and an anti-pathogenic agent are generally administered within about 96 hours, about 72 hours, about 48 hours, about 24 hours, about 12 hours, about 8 hours, about 4 hours, about 2 hours, about 1 hour, or about 30 minutes or less, of each other. Thus, although it may be desirable to do so in some situations, it is not necessarily required that the therapeutic agent of the invention and an anti-pathogenic agent (e.g., antibacterial agent) be delivered simultaneously.

[0275] Vaccines

[0276] As discussed above, a subject genetically altered mycobacterium (e.g., a genetically modified mycobacterium that is avirulent, that has reduced virulence, or that is attenuated) finds use in immunogenic compositions, to elicit an immune response to a pathogenic mycobacterium. In many embodiments, a subject genetically altered mycobacterium elicits an immune response to a pathogenic mycobacterium, thereby providing immunoprotection against a pathogenic mycobacterium. Formulations, dosages, and routes of administration for the subject genetically altered mycobacteria are any conventional formulations, dosages, and routes of administration currently in use in mycobacteria (e.g., BCG) vaccines. Whether a subject genetically altered mycobacterium is effective in eliciting an immunoprotective immune response can be determined by administering the subject mycobacterium to a test animal, and, after a period of time, challenging the animal with a pathogenic strain of mycobacterium.

[0277] The invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising a genetically altered mycobacterium of the invention. When they are used to induce or enhance an immune response, the genetically modified mycobacteria of the present invention are administered to an individual using known methods. They will generally be administered by the same routes by which conventional (presently available) vaccines are administered and/or by routes which mimic the route by which infection by the pathogen of interest occurs. They can be administered in a composition which includes, in addition to the mutant mycobacterium, a physiologically acceptable carrier. The composition may also include an immunostimulating agent or adjuvant, flavoring agent, or stabilizer.

[0278] A subject immunogenic composition is administered in an “effective amount” that is, an amount of genetically altered mycobacterium that is effective in a selected route of administration to elicit or induce an immune response to the mycobacterium.

[0279] In some embodiments, an effective dose or a unit dose of immunogenic composition is in a range of from about 10² to about 10⁷, from about 10³ to about 10⁶, or from about 10⁴ to about 10⁵ genetically altered mycobacteria. An optimal amount for a particular vaccine can be ascertained by standard studies involving observation of antibody titers and other responses in subjects. The levels of immunity provided by the immunogenic composition can be monitored to determine the need, if any, for boosters. For example, following an assessment of antibody titers in the serum and/or counting the number of mycobacterium in a sample from the individual, optional booster immunizations may be desired. The immune response to a subject genetically modified mycobacterium may be enhanced by the use of adjuvant and or an immunostimulant.

[0280] In some embodiments, a composition comprising the genetically altered mycobacterium is administered using conventional devices including but not limited to syringes, devices for intranasal administration of compositions, and vaccine guns. Thus, one embodiment of the present invention is a device comprising a member which receives the genetically altered mycobacterium (or composition comprising the genetically altered mycobacterium) in communication with a mechanism for delivering the immunogenic composition to the subject.

[0281] Compositions comprising a genetically modified mycobacterium of the invention may include a buffer, which is selected according to the desired use of the attenuated mycobacterium, and may also include other substances appropriate to the intended use. Those skilled in the art can readily select an appropriate buffer, a wide variety of which are known in the art, suitable for an intended use. In some instances, the composition can comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, a variety of which are known in the art and need not be discussed in detail herein. Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients have been amply described in a variety of publications, including, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, A. R. Gennaro editor (latest edition) Mack Publishing Company; A. Gennaro (2000) “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy”, 20th edition, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems (1999) H. C. Ansel et al., eds 7^(th) ed., Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins;

[0282] and Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients (2000) A. H. Kibbe et al., eds., 3^(rd) ed. Amer. Pharmaceutical Assoc.

[0283] When used as an immunogenic composition, a genetically altered mycobacterium of the invention can be formulated in a variety of ways. In general, an immunogenic composition of the invention is formulated according to methods well known in the art using suitable pharmaceutical carrier(s) and/or vehicle(s). A suitable vehicle is sterile saline. Other aqueous and non-aqueous isotonic sterile injection solutions and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions known to be pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and well known to those of skill in the art may be employed for this purpose.

[0284] Optionally, an immunogenic composition of the invention may be formulated to contain other components, including, e.g., adjuvants, stabilizers, pH adjusters, preservatives and the like. Such components are well known to those of skill in the vaccine art. Adjuvants include, but are not limited to, aluminum salt adjuvants (Nicklas (1992) Res. Immunol. 143:489-493); saponin adjuvants. Ribi's adjuvants (Ribi ImmunoChem Research Inc., Hamilton, Mont.); Montanide ISA adjuvants (Seppic, Paris, France); Hunter's TiterMax adjuvants (CytRx Corp., Norcross, Ga.); Gerbu adjuvants (Gerbu Biotechnik GmbH, Gaiberg, Germany); and nitrocellulose (Nilsson and Larsson (1992) Res. Immunol. 143:553-557). In addition, other components that may modulate an immune response may be included in the formulation, including, but not limited to, cytokines, such as interleukins; colony-stimulating factors (e.g., GM-CSF, CSF, and the like); and tumor necrosis factor.

[0285] The invention further provides kits comprising a subject immunogenic composition in a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation, packaged in a sterile container or a sterile delivery device. In some embodiments, a sterile vial containing lyophilized subject genetically altered mycobacteria is provided. A separate vial containing a suspension base for reconstituting lyophilized genetically altered mycobacteria may also be provided. Typically, a kit contains a sterile vial containing a unit dosage form, e.g., an amount of genetically modified mycobacteria suitable for a single dose. The sterile vial may be a syringe. Additional components include needles. Package inserts containing information on the use of a subject kit may also be provided.

EXAMPLES

[0286] The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention nor are they intended to represent that the experiments below are all or the only experiments performed. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used (e.g. amounts, temperature, etc.) but some experimental errors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, molecular weight is weight average molecular weight, temperature is in degrees Celsius, and pressure is at or near atmospheric. Standard abbreviations are used, e.g., min (minutes); h (hours); s (seconds); U (Units); and the like.

Example 1 Protocol For Generating M. tuberculosis Targeted Knockouts

[0287] Using H37Rv genomic DNA as a template and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), amplify ˜2 kilobase DNA sequences that directly flank the gene of interest. Subclone these fragments into the pNIL vector multiple cloning site. Using a restriction site present in pNIL that is placed between the two inserted flanking genomic fragments, subclone the hyg^(r) marker. This marker can be amplified by PCR from a hyg^(r) vector with primers that add the unique site used for insertion into pNIL. Next, digest the pNIL vector that is now carrying a marked interupted allele of the gene, with Pac I. This digestion will linearize the plasmid. In parallel, digest the pGOAL vector with Pac I. Purify the ˜6 kB product resulting from this digestion. This fragment contains the counter selectable marker, SacB, as well as another marker, β-galactosidase. Subclone this cassette into the Pac I-linearized pNIL. The knockout plasmid is now complete.

[0288] In order to increase recombination efficiency, irradiate ˜2 μg of the knockout plasmid with ultraviolet light. Immediately transform, by electroporation, an aliquot of competent H37Rv with the irradiated DNA. For the first selection, plate the transformation on hygromycin+kanamycin. Colonies that appear on this plate should be single crossover homologous recombinants. A small percentage of these colonies may be the result of illegitimate recombination. Remove colonies from this plate and plate again on media containing sucrose, hygromycin and X-gal. White colonies that grow on this plate are primarily double crossover homologous recombinants and thus the interrupted allele of the gene should have replaced the wild type allele. See, e.g., Parish and Stoker (2000) Microbiology 146(8):1969-75.

Example 2 Phage Method for Generating M. tuberculosis Targeted Knockouts

[0289] Another method has recently become available for generating site-specific mutations in M. tuberculosis. This new method uses a genetically modified version of the mycobacterial phage, TM4, to introduce an interrupted allele of the target gene at a much higher frequency than that obtainable by electroporation. The phage transduction efficiency is high enough to directly screen for double crossover homologous recombinants.

[0290] Genomic DNA is isolated from colonies harvested at the last stage of selection. The presence of the interrupted allele can be screened using PCR or by southern blot analysis. See, e.g., Glickman et al. (2000) Molecular Cell 5(4):717-27.

Example 3 Identification of Mycobacterial Sulfate Assimilation Proteins

[0291] Materials and Methods

[0292] Pfu DNA polymerase was obtained from Stratagene. Restriction enzymes were from NEB (New England Biolabs) or Amersham-Pharmacia Biotech. Calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (CIAP) was from Amersham-Pharmacia Biotech. Plasmid miniprep kits and the QIAquick kit for DNA extraction from agarose gel were from Qiagen. T4 DNA ligase was from NEB. Plasmids used in this work are shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 Bacterial strains and plasmids used in this study. Strain or plasmid Relevant characteristics E. coli strains JM81A cysC92, tfr-8 JM96 thr-1, leuB6, lacY1, glnV44(AS), gal-6, λ⁻, trp-1, hisG1(Fs), rfbD1, cysH56, galP63, Δ(gltB- gltF)500, rpsL9, malT1(λ^(R)), xylA7, mtlA2, ΔargH1, thi-1 BL21(DE3) F⁻ ompT r_(B) ⁻ m_(B) ⁻ DH5α supE44, thi-1 ΔlacU169(f80lacZΔM15) endA1 recA1 hsdR17 gyrA96 relA1 M. smegmatis strains mc²155::cysH cysH deletion strain, Hyg^(r) mc²155::cysC cysC deletion strain, Hyg Plasmids pUC18/RBS E. coli expression vector, Amp^(r) pUC18/RBS/BioB pUC18/RBS containing E. coli bioB gene pUC18/RBS/CysH pUC18/RBS containing M. tuberculosis cysH gene pUC18/RBS/CysC pUC18/RBS containing putative cysC C-terminal fragment of M. tuberculosis cysNC gene

[0293] Oligonucleotide primers are shown in Table 2. Sequences in bold indicate restriction sites. TABLE 2 5′-GATATACATATGAGCGGCGAGACAACCAGGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:33) MTCYSHF2 5′-GTGGTGCTCGAGCGAGGCGTGCAACCCG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:34) MTCYSHR2 5′-AAGGGGCATATGAGCCCGAACACGGTGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:35) MTCYSCF 5′-AAGGGGCTCGAGTTAAGACGATGACTCCAACAGGTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:36) MTCYSCR 5′-GGGGCCATGGGTAGCGGCGAGACAACCAGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:37) CYSHPUCF 5′-GGGGGGATCCCTCGAGTTACGAGGCGTGCAACCCG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:38) CYSHPUCR 5′-GGGGCCATGGGTAGCCCGAACACGGTGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:39) CYSCPUCF 5′-GGGCCATGGGGACCGACGTGACGACGTCAACG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:40) pUCMsHFor 5′-GGGCTCGAGTCACGAGACGTGCAGCCCGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:41) pUCMsHRev 5′-GGGGAACCATGGGTTTAACGTATGATAATTGGGAAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:42) pUCCYSHBsF 5′-GGGGAACTCGAGTTATTCATGCAGTCCGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:43) pUCCYSHBsR 5′-GTGCTGGTGCCCGCGATCGGGCCCCTTGCTGAGCACCGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:44) MTKONC5MF 5′-ACGGTGCTCAGCAAGGGGCCCGATCGCGGGCACCAGCAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:45) MTKONC5MR 5′-TATTCTATCAAGCTTCACGAGATCGGCACCGATCAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:46) CysHKO#1 5′-AGATCATAGGTACCGATCAACCCGATCGCGGCGTGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:47) CysHKO#2 5′-CTTATTATGGTACCCTCGTCGGTCCAGCGCAGCAGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:48) CysHKO#3 5′-TAGATAATGCGGCCGCCGGTGTGTAGGTGTTGAAGTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:49) CysHKO#4 5′-GGGGTTAATTAACATGAGCGGCGAGACAACCAGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:50) CYSHPMSF 5′-GGGGGGATCCCGAGGCGTGCAACCCG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:51) CYSHPMSR

[0294] Preliminary sequence data for M. smegmatis and M. avium were obtained from The Institute for Genomic Research website. E. coli JM81A and JM96 were obtained from the E. coli genetic stock center (CGSC), Yale University, USA.

[0295] Cloning of cysH and cysC Genes From Genomic DNA

[0296] Preparation of pET Vectors

[0297] The gene encoding CysH (cysH) was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subcloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPO. The PCR mixture contained 10 μM oligonucleotide primers (MYCYSHF2 and MTCYSHR2), 0.25 mM concentrations of the four deoxynucleotide triphosphates in 50 μl of Pfu polymerase buffer, 10% dimethylsulfoxide, and 100 ng of M. tuberculosis genomic DNA. After heating to 95° C., the reaction was initiated by adding 5 Units (U) of Pfu DNA polymerase. The PCR was performed in a thermal cycler (Perkin Elmer, GeneAmp PCR System 2400). The following PCR program was used: 25 cycles (20 seconds (s) at 94° C., 30 s at 50° C., and 55 s at 72° C.) and then incubation for 7 min at 72° C. Agarose gel electrophoresis of the PCR mixture revealed a single DNA fragment of approximately 500 bp. This fragment was cut from the gel and purified using the QIAquick kit.

[0298] The product was ligated into pCR4Blunt-TOPO according to the manufacturer's instructions (Invitrogen). Isolated colonies were grown overnight in liquid media and plasmid DNA isolated by miniprep. Plasmids containing insert were identified by restriction digest and confirmed by sequencing. The insert was excised by digestion with NdeI/XhoI, separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and purified using the QIAquick kit. The product was ligated into the NdeI/XhoI digested pET24b(+) vector (treated with CIAP) using T4 DNA ligase. After incubation at 16° C. for 2 hours (h), 8 μl of the reaction mixture was used to transform 100 μl of E. coli DH5α. After growth on LB amp, colonies were selected and grown overnight. Plasmid DNA minipreps were screened by restriction digest to afford pET24b(+)CysH.

[0299] The C-terminal portion of the cysNC gene was amplified from genomic DNA using primers MTCYSCF and MTCYSCR and cloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPO as above. After sequencing, the insert was excised from this vector by digestion with NdeI/XhoI and ligated into CIAP treated NdeI/XhoI digested pET28b(+) to afford pET28b(+)CysC.

[0300] Preparation of Complementation Vectors

[0301] The gene encoding CysH (cysH) was amplified from the pET24b(+)CysH vector described above using primers CYSHPUCF and CYSHPUCR and cloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPO as above. After sequencing, the insert was excised by digestion with NcoI/BamHI and ligated into CIAP treated NcoI/BamHI digested pUC18/RBS, to generate pUC18/RBS/MtCysH.

[0302] The gene encoding CysC (cysC) was amplified as above using primers CYSCPUCF and MTCYSCR and cloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPO as above. After sequencing the insert was excised from this vector by digestion with NcoI/XhoI and the two fragments generated were separated by gel electrophoresis and purified as above. The longer NcoI/XhoI fragment was ligated into NcoI/XhoI digested PUC18/RBS/MtCysH from above and transformed into E. coli DH5α. Colonies containing the correct insert were verified by restriction digest. This vector was digested with NcoI and treated with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase and ligated to the second NcoI/NcoI fragment. After transformation and plasmid isolation, the plasmid minipreps were screened for correctly oriented insert with EagI/XhoI, affording pUC18/RBS/MtCysC.

[0303] The gene encoding the M. smegmatis CysH (cysH) was amplified from M. smegmatis mc²155 genomic DNA using primers pUCMsHFor and pUCMsHRev and cloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPO as above. After sequencing, the insert was excised by digestion with NcoI/XhoI and ligated into CIAP treated NcoI/XhoI digested pUC18/RBS to yield pUC18/RBS/MsCysH.

[0304] The gene encoding the B. subtilis CysH (cysH) was amplified from pBS170 using primers pUCCYSHBsF and pUCCYSHBsR and cloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPO as above. After sequencing, the insert was excised by digestion with NcoI/XhoI and ligated into CIAP treated NcoI/XhoI digested pUC18/RBS to yield pUC18/RBS/BsCysH.

[0305] The S103G mutant of CysC in pUC18/RBS/CysC was generated using the QuikChange protocol from Stratagene. Briefly, two mutagenic primers MTKONC5MF and MTKONC5MR were used to amplify the template. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to confirm that the reaction was successful. After the amplification reaction, DpnI was added to the reaction mixture and the mixture incubated at 37° C. for 1 h. 1 μl of the reaction mixture was used to transform 50 μl of super-competent E. coli XL1-Blue (Stratagene). The cells were grown on LB amp and, after miniprep of plasmid DNA, restriction digest with BanI (the mutagenic primers introduce a silent mutation creating a BanI restriction site) was used to identify mutants. These were sequenced to confirm the desired insert, affording pUC18/RBS/CysCS103G.

[0306] Genetic Complementation

[0307]E. coli JM81A and JM96 were grown in Oxoid CM1 media (1 g Oxoid Lab Lemco powder, 2 g yeast extract, 5 g peptone, 5 g NaCl per liter). Plasmid DNA was transformed into cells by electroporation (Bio-Rad Gene-Pulser, following the manufacturers protocol). Transformants were grown on CM1 agarose containing 100 mg/l ampicillin before transfer to M9 minimal media supplemented with thiamin (0.0005%), mannitol (0.2%), glucose (0.2%), and 18 amino acids excluding cysteine and methione (each 25 mg/L) and containing MgSO₄ (0.01%) as sole sulfur source. SDS-PAGE of crude, whole-cell extracts was used to confirm the constitutive expression of CysC, CysC S103G, and CysC PS103G from their respective plasmids in E. coli JM81A.

[0308] Construction of CysH M. smegmatis Deletion Mutant

[0309] The cysH deletion mutant was constructed using the allelic replacement method of Parish and Stoker ((2000) Microbiol. 146:1969-1975). Oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify 2 kB regions upstream and downstream of the cysH gene. The upstream region was generated using primers CysHKO#3 and CysHKO#4, which generate a NotI/KpnI fragment and the downstream region was generated using primers CysHKO#0.1 and CysHKO#2, which generate a KpnI/HindIII fragment. The PCR products were gel purified and digested with the relevant restriction enzymes and ligated into a similarly digested p2NIL vector that was pre-treated with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase. A hygromycin resistance marker was inserted between the two fragments into the KpnI restriction site. The final delivery vector, p2NIL_MsCysH was generated by adding the PacI cassette (_(PAg8)5-lacZ _(Phsp6)0-sacB) from pGOAL17 to the vector bearing the mutated allele. This cassette contains the lacZ reporter gene and the sacB negative selection marker. sacB, encoding levan sucrase, confers toxicity to the cell when grown on sucrose containing media. The delivery vector was pretreated with UV light (120 mJ cm⁻² and used to electroporate M. smegmatis mc²155.

[0310] Transformants were selected on Middlebrook 7H11 media containing 20 mg L⁻¹ kanamycin and 50 mg L⁻¹ hygromycin. After 5 days colonies were tested for the presence of the lacZ gene and positive colonies were grown in 7H9 media containing 50 mg L⁻¹ hygromycin overnight. Serial dilutions were plated onto 7H11 plates containing 2% sucrose, 50 mg L⁻¹, and X-gal 50 mg L⁻¹. Colonies that did not turn blue were tested for kanamycin sensitivity and were then subjected to genotypic analysis. The construction of the cysC deletion mutant has been described elsewhere.

[0311] Genotypic Analysis

[0312] DNA was prepared from colonies by standard methods. Southern blotting analysis was carried out by generating two probes, one specific for the upstream region of the gene and one specific for the downstream region. Genomic DNA was digested with restriction enzymes that generated unique bands for the wildtype and mutant strains.

[0313] Construction of Mycobacterial Complementation Vectors

[0314] Complementation of the mutant strain was performed using the vector pMS3GS. This vector was constructed by inserting a 400 bp region containing the M. tuberculosis glutamine synthetase promoter into pMS3. A cloning site was introduced that allowed the cloning of a PacI-BamHI fragment. The M. tuberculosis cysH gene was amplified from genomic DNA using CYSHPMSF and CYSHPMSR and cloned into pCR4-TOPO as described above. After sequencing, the insert was excised from this vector by digestion with PacI/BamHI and ligated into CIAP treated PacI/BamHI digested pMS3GS to afford pMS3GSMtCysH.

[0315] Growth Curves

[0316] The growth rates of cultures of wildtype and mutant strains of M smegmatis were determined in 7H9 Middlebrook media that contained 0.05% Tween 80, 20 mg L⁻¹ kanamycin and 2 mM methionine. Cultures were inoculated at 0.05 OD₆₀₀ and were grown with shaking (250 rpm) at 37° C.

[0317] Expression of M. tuberculosis CysC

[0318] pET28b(+)CysC was transformed into BL21 STAR and grown on LB agarose containing 50 mg/ml kanamycin. An isolated colony was picked and grown in 2 ml of LB media containing 50 mg/ml kanamycin. When this culture had reached an A₆₀₀=0.5, 1 ml was used to inoculate 500 ml of 2YT media containing 50 mg/ml kanamycin. The culture was grown at 37° C. with shaking until an A₆₀₀=0.5, then the suspension was cooled to 20° C. and IPTG added to a final concentration of 0.4 mM. The culture was allowed to grow overnight. Cells were collected by centrifugation (10 min at 4000 rpm), and suspended in lysis buffer (20 mM Tris buffer containing 100 mM NaCl and 10 mM imidazole) before disruption by ultrasonication. The cell lysate was cleared by centrifugation (10 min at 10000 rpm), and the supernatant applied to a column of NiNTA agarose resin and eluted with 20 mM Tris buffer (pH 7.8) containing 100 mM NaCl and a gradient of imidazole up to 250 mM. The fractions containing protein were concentrated and stored in the same buffer. Total yield was approximately 25 mg of protein per liter of culture. Further characterization was performed using a Perkin-Elmer Sciex API III electrospray mass spectrometer that gave a mass of 23192 Da. This compares satisfactorily with the calculated mass predicted for the protein with the loss of the N-terminal methionine (calc. 23168). Protein concentrations were measured using the Pierce Micro BCA analysis kit.

[0319] Assay of MtCysC

[0320] Kinetic parameters were measured at 25° C. using a 50 mM Tris buffer (pH 8.0) containing 1 mM KCl and 0.1% bovine serum albumin. Each sample contained 700 μL of buffer, 25U of lactate dehydrogenase and 35 U of pyruvate kinase (from rabbit muscle, 50% suspension in glycerol), 25 U of P1 nuclease, 100 μL of 50 mM ATP, 5 mM MgCl₂ and 100 mM Tris base and varying amounts of APS. Prior to the addition of APS kinase, the background rate was measured and typically was 0.001 A₃₄₀ units per min. Measurements were started by addition of MtCysC. Measurements of the decrease of absorption at 340 nm per min in a continuous assay yielded reaction rates using an extinction coefficient for NADH of 6.22 mM⁻¹min⁻¹. The decrease was linear during all measurements. The concentration of APS was determined by measuring the total change in absorbance at 340 nm in a reaction catalyzed by APS kinase catalyzed but omitting P1 nuclease. Michaelis parameters (v_(max) and κm) were extracted from this data by best fit to the Michaelis-Menten equation using the program Grafit (Leatherbarrow, R. J., Erithacus Software, Staines). K_(m) and V_(max)/E₀ values were obtained by measuring rates in a series of cells at a range of substrate concentrations (6-10 concentrations) which encompassed the K_(m) value ultimately determined, generally from 0.2×K_(m) to 5×K_(m).

[0321] Results

[0322] The M. tuberculosis H37Rv gene sequence annotated as CysH (Rv2392) was identified in the original publication of the genome. The amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by this gene is provided in FIG. 14. We have discovered homologs of this gene in the genomes of other Mycobacterial species, namely M. avium and M. smegmatis mc²2155. The amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by the CysH gene in M. smegmatis is provided in FIG. 15. The amino acid sequences of the protein encoded by the CysH gene in M. avium is provided in FIG. 16. An alignment of the amino acid sequences of the protein encoded by the CysH gene in M. tuberculosis (“Myctub”), M. avium (“Mycavi”), and M. smegmatis (“Mycsme”) is shown in FIG. 17. Additionally, sequences identical to that seen in M. tuberculosis H37Rv were seen in other members of the M. tuberculosis complex including M. tuberculosis CDC 1551 and M. bovis BCG. These sequences were identified by the use of the BLAST algorithm. Our searches for homologs have thus far been confined to organisms for which a genomic sequencing project is underway or has already been completed.

[0323] We used genetic complementation in specific E. coli knockout strains to define the substrate specificity of two of these CysH homologs. In this approach, E. coli strains defective in known places in their pathway for sulfate assimilation may be used as an experimental organism. The two E. coli strains used in this study were JM96 and JM81A and were obtained from the E. coli Genetic Stock Center (CGSC). The complete phenotypes of these organisms are shown in Table 1, above.

[0324] The genes for CysH of M. tuberculosis H37Rv and M. smegmatis mc²155 were amplified from genomic DNA using the polymerase chain reaction and ligated into a pUC18-based plasmid with a lac promoter that allowed constitutive expression in these knockout strains. The plasmid was introduced into the two knockout strains by transformation and selection on media containing ampicillin. Resistance to ampicillin is conferred by the complementation plasmid. The complementation assay and results are shown in FIG. 18. The complemented strains were grown on minimal media containing sulfate as sole sulfur source. The original E. coli mutant strains are unable to grow on such media. In both cases, the CysH genes from M. tuberculosis H37Rv and M smegmatis mc²155 allowed the two mutant strains to survive, thereby confirming that these genes encode for APS reductases. High levels of identity between these two genes and the corresponding gene for CysH that we identified in M. avium, in particular the presence of conserved CCXXXKXXXL (SEQ ID NO:53) and CXXC (SEQ ID NO:54) motifs (see FIG. 17) lead us to the conclusion that the CysH gene of this organism that we have identified also encodes for an APS reductase.

[0325] This result allows us to redefine the sulfate assimilation pathway of M. tuberculosis and other Mycobacteria. Accordingly, the Mycobacteria APS reductase gene acts on APS to provide sulfite, which eventually is incorporated into cysteine and methionine. The APS kinase gene, which forms the carboxyl-terminal portion of Rv1286 and which we have demonstrated to be active, also acts on APS to produce PAPS. PAPS is produced for the use of this organism's sulfotransferases. Consequently, inhibition of the APS reductase will prevent the formation of cysteine and methionine. On the other hand, inhibition of APS kinase will prevent the formation of PAPS and, it follows, the formation of sulfated metabolites through the action of the sulfotransferases of this organism.

[0326] In order to confirm the presence of a functional APS kinase in M. tuberculosis, the carboxyl-terminal domain of Rv1286 (CysN/CysC) was amplified by PCR and subcloned into the complementation vector described above. This plasmid was transformed into the E. coli knockout strain JM81A (which contains a knockout of APS kinase). When grown on minimal media containing sulfate as sole sulfur source, the complementation plasmid bearing this portion of the CysN/CysC gene enabled the survival of this strain. This result confirms that M. tuberculosis possesses a functional APS kinase and shows that it is encoded for by the carboxyl-terminal domain of this protein. We searched for homologs of CysC in other, sequenced members of the Mycobacteria, namely M. smegmatis and M. avium and in both cases identified genes with high levels of homology that we expect to contain APS kinases.

[0327] The amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by the CysN/CysC gene of M. smegmatis is shown in FIG. 19. The amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by the CysN/CysC gene of M. avium is shown in FIG. 20.

[0328] Identification of cysH, cysC and cysN Homologs in M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis

[0329] cysH and cysC Homologs were identified in M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis by BLAST analysis and in the former case correspond to the annotated sequences in the published genome. Interestingly, amino acid sequence comparison of these CysH proteins shows that they align well with both PAPS and APS reductases from a variety of organisms. However, the mycobacterial CysH proteins each contain two pairs of cysteine residues in the C-terminal half of the sequence. These two pairs of cysteine residues are common to all the known APS reductases and are absent in all but one of the proven PAPS reductases (that of Bacillus subtilis, vide infra).

[0330] The M. tuberculosis CysC gene is fused to the C-terminus of CysN, the GTPase that forms a heterodimer with CysD. This is not uncommon, for example, similar fusions are found in the functionally equivalent NodQ genes of S. meliloti and in CysN/CysC of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Unlike these organisms, M. tuberculosis contains only single copies of each domain of cysH, cysC, and cysN, thereby representing a much simpler sulfate assimilation system than that of many other bacteria. The CysN/CysC protein overlaps the CysD protein by 4 nucleotides and appears to be part of the same operon. A putative RBS upstream of the start of CysN/CysC was located that lies within the C-terminus of the preceding gene, CysD.

[0331] Functional Complementation of E. coli CysC and CysH Knockout Strains

[0332] Given the large degree of sequence similarity between the PAPS and APS reductases, we chose to confirm the function of the M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis cysH genes using genetic complementation in E. coli. The cysH genes were amplified by PCR from genomic DNA using primers complementary to the N- and C-termini. The PCR products were ligated into a pUC18-based vector containing a ribosomal binding site (RBS) upstream of the insertion point. Owing to the high copy number of the pUC18 plasmid in E. coli (>100 copies per cell) and the low copy number of the lac repressor protein (approximately 10 per cell), this plasmid allows the constitutive expression of proteins in the absence of a chemical inducer. The plasmids bearing the M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis cysH genes were separately transformed into E. coli JM81A (a mutant strain lacking APS kinase) and JM96 (a mutant strain lacking PAPS reductase), and grown on ampicillin containing CM1 medium (a rich medium able to support the growth of these knockout E. coli strains). Isolated colonies were plated onto M9 minimal media supplemented with 18 amino acids (not cysteine or methionine), containing sulfate as the sole metabolizable sulfur source.

[0333] Complementation of JM96, an E. coli strain capable of the synthesis of PAPS but not its reduction, confirms that the gene product either has PAPS or APS reductase activity. Complementation of JM81A, an E. coli strain capable of the synthesis of APS, but not PAPS, shows that the gene must encode an APS reductase. pUC18/RBS/MtCysH and pUC18/RBS/MsCysH were able to complement both E. coli JM81A and JM96 strains to cysteine prototrophy. This result is consistent with the M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis cysH encoding APS reductases. The assignment of APS reductase activity to both the M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis CysH enzymes is in agreement with the observation that all proven APS reductases contain two pairs of conserved cysteine residues.

[0334] However, as noted above, there is one CysH, that from B. subtilis, that has been assigned PAPS reductase activity that contains these same two pairs of cysteines. We were concerned with the assignment of this gene product as a PAPS reductase, which was made on the basis of its ability to complement the E. coli mutant JM96, a strain lacking in PAPS reductase. While the ability to restore this strain to cysteine prototrophy is consistent with the gene product being a phosphosulfate reductase, it does not show whether the enzyme is an APS or PAPS reductase. Consequently, we obtained the plasmid used in the original study by Mendoza and colleagues, pBS170, and confirmed its ability to complement JM96, but also tested its ability to complement JM81A. Interestingly, we were able to repeat the original result of Mendoza and coworkers with JM96 but found that the plasmid did not restore prototrophy to JM81A. However, of particular concern here was the low growth rate seen with JM96. While colonies could be seen on plates with JM9616 transformed with pUC18/RBS/MtCysH after 24h growth, similar sized colonies with JM96 transformed with pBS170 took around 48 h to appear. It was thought that the expression of the B. subtilis gene could be limiting from the pBluescript SKII(+) vector, particularly as this construct used the native B. subtilis RBS (−14 to −8, AGGAGAA) (Mansilla and deMendoza (1997) J. Bacteriol 179:976-981). Consequently, we subcloned the B. subtilis cysH into the pUC 18/RBS vector (which uses a typical E. coli RBS, −13 to −8, AGGAGG) and tested it for its ability to complement JM96 and JM81A. Both mutant cell lines were transformed to cysteine prototrophy, thereby confirming an APS reductase activity of the B. subtilis enzyme.

[0335] Identification of an Active CysC Domain

[0336] We recently showed that M. tuberculosis possesses three open reading frames with high levels of homology to the sulfotransferase gene family. In this work we have shown that in M. tuberculosis APS is used directly for the production of sulfite; it appears that PAPS is produced for the sole use of these putative sulfotransferases. Given this newly defined sulfate assimilation pathway for M. tuberculosis, we were interested in generating a functional knockout of PAPS biosynthesis in this organism, and thereby of all the sulfotransferases. Consequently, we identified APS kinase, CysC, as a possible target for generating a functional knockout of PAPS biosynthesis and therefore of all sulfotransferase activity in M. tuberculosis. As discussed above, CysC is fused to CysN, thereby complicating the generation of a knockout.

[0337] In order to construct a defined knockout of CysC, the APS kinase domain of CysN/CysC needed to be identified. We decided to confirm the identification of the CysC domain by using genetic complementation. The C-terminal domain of CysN/CysC was identified by alignment to the CysN and CysC proteins of E. coli. According to our analysis, the CysN and CysC domains of M. tuberculosis are separated by a short linker with the sequence TPST. The C-terminal domain of CysN/CysC was amplified from genomic DNA and the product was subcloned into pUC18/RBS and tested for its ability to complement the E. coli strain JM81A. Transformation of this strain with the plasmid restored it to cysteine prototrophy. With a complementation system in hand for detecting alterations in function of CysC, we focused on generating a single point mutant incapable of complementing E. coli JM81A with the aim of establishing a method for the generation of a CysC knockout, without disrupting CysN. Our approach was inspired by the results of Satischandran et al. Satischandran et al. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264:15012-15021; and Satischandran et al. (1992) Biochem. 31:11684-11688. These workers found that upon incubation of the E. coli CysC with γ ³²P-ATP in the absence of APS, the enzyme was radiolabeled. Upon proteolysis, the radiolabelled peptide was isolated, and sequenced, indicating the presence of a phosphorylated serine, S109. On the basis of this result, these workers suggested that the enzyme mechanism of phosphoryl transfer proceeds through a covalent phosphoserine intermediate.

[0338] Consequently, we mutated the corresponding residue in the M. tuberculosis CysC, S103, to glycine. However, the plasmid bearing this mutation, pC18/RBS/CysCS103G, still restored cysteine prototrophy to JM81A when grown on minimal media containing sulfate as sole sulfur source. This result, while surprising, was not entirely unexpected. Segel and coworkers found during studies with the closely related CysC from Penicillium chrysogenum that mutation of the corresponding serine residue (S107) in this enzyme to alanine gave a mutant with kinetic characteristics similar to the wild-type. MacRae et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:28583-28589. While these workers identified other mutations in the phosphate binding loop of the P. chrysogenum CysC that abolished enzyme activity. P. chrysogenum contains a second APS-like protein, with strong homology to CysC, that binds APS but has no kinase activity. This protein lacks both the conserved serine of APS kinases and contains several differences in the phosphate binding loop. Segel and coworkers showed that mutation of the P. chrysogenum CysC in the phosphate binding loop to the corresponding residues of the APS binding protein resulted in elimination of enzyme activity. In our case mutation of the phosphate binding loop of the M. tuberculosis S103G CysC mutant to the same residues as found in the P. chrysogenum APS binding protein generated a mutant protein that was unable to complement E. coli JM81A.

[0339] Construction of a CysH and CysC Deletion Mutant of M. smegmatis

[0340] To confirm the proposed route for sulfate assimilation of M. smegmatis we constructed two deletion mutants. The cysH and cysC genes were interrupted using the allelic replacement method of Parish and Stoker. Briefly, a delivery vector containing the interrupted allele was constructed in the suicide plasmid p2NIL by replacing the middle portion of the gene with a hygromycin resistance marker. After irradiation with UV light, a pre-treatment that has been shown to promote homologous recombination, the delivery vectors were transformed into M. smegmatis mc²155 and kanamycin/hygromycin resistant colonies obtained. These colonies should be single crossovers that have integrated the suicide plasmid.

[0341] Putative single crossover colonies were grown in liquid media and then grown on media containing hygromycin, sucrose and X-gal. Sucrose acts as a negative selection marker and allows only those cells that have lost the sacB gene to grow. The loss of this gene is confirmed by the absence of the lacZ gene. Colonies that afforded colorless colonies represent potential knockouts and were confirmed by Southern analysis. The preparation of the cysC knockout was performed by a similar approach and will be reported elsewhere. These mutants were tested for auxotrophy in liquid media containing 2 mM cysteine or 2 mM methionine. In the case of the cysH deletion mutant, this strain was found to be both a cysteine and methionine auxotroph, thereby confirming the essentiality of the cysH gene for sulfate assimilation. However, the cysC mutant was not a methionine or cysteine auxotroph, a result consistent with our hypothesis that this gene is not required for the assimilation of sulfur into the sulfur containing amino acids. Further, complementation of the cysH knockout strain with the complementation plasmid pMS3GSMtCysH restored this strain to cysteine and methionine prototrophy, confirming the role of the M. tuberculosis cysH gene in the reduction of APS.

[0342] In Vitro Assay of M. tuberculosis CysC

[0343] CysC was cloned into pET28b(+) and over-expressed in E. coli as an N-terminal Hi_(s)6-fusion. Purification was achieved through affinity chromatography on NiNTA resin. The purified protein had an apparent molecular weight of 23 kDa by SDS-PAGE and a MW as determined by ESI-MS of 23192 Da. This compares favorably with the predicted molecular weight of 23168 Da for the protein with the loss of the N-terminal methionine, presumably effected by the endogenous methionyl aminopeptidase of the expression host. The enzyme was tested for its ability to phosphorylate APS using the coupled assay of Burnell and Whatley ((1975) Anal. Biochem. 68:281-288), with the modifications of Renosto et al. ((1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259:2113-2123). This assay allows the direct monitoring of rates by coupling the production of ADP (from ATP) to pyruvate kinase, and the lactate dehydrogenase catalyzed reduction of pyruvate by NADH. The decrease in the concentration of NADH may be continuously monitored at 340 nm. P1 3′-nuclease is also included to regenerate APS from the product, PAPS, thereby enabling the measurement of very low K_(m) values.

[0344] Using this assay, we measured an apparent κ_(m) value of 0.64±0.10 μM and an apparent V_(max)E₀ value of 0.85±0.04 s⁻¹ (for an apparent V_(max)E₀/K_(m) 1334 mM⁻¹s⁻¹) for APS in the presence of saturating ATP (5 mM). In the presence of 75 mM sulfate, the apparent K_(m) value increased nearly four-fold to 1.7+0.1 μM with little change in the V_(max)E₀ value (1.05 s⁻¹) leading to a two-fold decrease in V_(max)E₀ (611 mM⁻¹s⁻¹). The higher K_(m) value for the enzyme in 75 mM sulfate simplifies the kinetics somewhat and provides closer mimicry of the intracellular ionic strength. To confirm that the assay was being run at a saturating concentration of ATP, the kinetic parameters were measured in the presence of saturating APS (10 μM) in buffer containing 75 mM sulfate. The kinetic parameters confirmed that the concentration of ATP was saturating (apparent K_(m)=0.91±0.10 mM, apparent V_(max)E₀=0.95±0.03s⁻¹, apparent (V_(max)E₀)/K_(m)=1.04 mM⁻¹s⁻¹). This K_(m) value is similar to that seen for the APS kinase of E. coli (K_(m)=0.25 μM). However, the M. tuberculosis enzyme differs from that of E. coli in that the former does not appear to suffer from the potent substrate inhibition seen for the latter (Satishchandran and Markham (2000) Archiv. Biochem. Biophys 378:210-215).

Example 4 Screening Method to Identify Inhibitors of Mycobacterial APS Reductase and APS Kinase

[0345] A sulfation assimilation pathway used by M. tuberculosis, M smegmatis, and M. avium is shown in FIG. 21a. Sulfate assimilation pathways in plants and bacteria are shown in FIG. 21b. Common enzyme designations are given below each arrow in FIG. 21b.

[0346] To discover inhibitors of mycobacterial APS reductase and APS kinase, the above-described genetic complementation system is used. The screening method is shown schematically in FIG. 22.

[0347] Survival or death of these E. coli mutant strains grown in minimal media is used in a real-time assay system. Specifically, the complementation plasmids bearing the CysH and CysC genes described above allows E. coli JM81A to survive in minimal media using sulfate as the sole sulfur source through complementing the defective pathway in this strain. The knockout strain may be used as a control, being kept alive by the administration of either cysteine or methionine, thereby bypassing the defective pathway. Test compounds are administered to each, namely the complemented strain and the control strain, and the strains monitored for survival by measuring their cell density (usually absorbance measured on a spectrophotometer at 600 nm wavelength). An example of such an assay is shown in FIG. 23.

[0348] There are four possible outcomes.

[0349] (1) Both the complemented strain and the control strain survive,

[0350] (2) both strains die;

[0351] (3) the complemented strain dies and the control strain lives; or

[0352] (4) the complemented strain lives while the control strain dies.

[0353] These outcomes are depicted in Table 3. TABLE 3 Complemented strain Control strain Activity of test compound Survive Survive No activity Die Die Activity not selective Die Survive Candidate selective inhibitor Survive Die No activity against complementing gene or gene product

[0354] In case (1) the compound has no activity. In case (2) the compound is not selective in its activity. In case (4) the compound has no activity against the gene borne on the complementation plasmid. However, in case (3), whatever factor the compound is acting upon in the complemented strain differs from that in the control strain. In this case it is likely that the compound is actually acting to inhibit the gene or gene product borne on the complementation plasmid. Thus, compounds that give a response corresponding to outcome (3) represent lead compounds that are likely to be inhibitors of APS kinase or APS reductase. These compounds should have the desirable properties of selectivity (being active against only the gene in question among all of the other essential genes in E. coli, and also of being bioavailable, that is they are able to enter the cell (in this case E. coli) and to act on the desired target.

[0355] This method is suitable as a first level screen as compounds that are identified may be causing outcome (3) by acting on other genes in the pathway, including the first step, production of APS that is catalyzed by ATP sulfurylase, or later steps such as the reduction of sulfite to sulfide, and the incorporation of sulfide into O-acetylserine to generate cysteine.

[0356] To determine the specificity of the inhibitor's action, a second complementation system may be used that operates in a different way to the first, enabling the determination of the compound's true site of action. In the case of the discovery of inhibitors of APS kinase and APS reductase, as these genes act in the same pathway, they can be used to determine the exact mode of action of an inhibitor. Thus, if an inhibitor acts only on one complemented strain, then this shows that it must act solely on that enzyme. Compounds that act on both strains must act on other enzymes in the pathway and themselves give a valuable indication of possible lead compounds for future screening efforts. As can be seen, this screen has many advantages for high-throughput screening given its simplicity and ease of scale-up.

Example 5 Discovery of Inhibitors of APS Reductase and APS Kinase

[0357] In order to discover inhibitors of these enzymes, we have made use of the genetic complementation system described in Example 4 to use survival or death of these E. coli mutant strains grown in minimal media as a real-time assay system. Specifically, the complementation plasmids bearing the CysH and CysC genes described above allows E. coli JM81A to survive in minimal media using sulfate as the sole sulfur source through complementing the defective pathway in this strain. The knockout strain itself may be used as a control, being kept alive by supplementation with cysteine, thereby bypassing the defective pathway. Compounds from libraries may be administered to each strain, namely the complemented strain and the control strain, and the strains monitored for survival by measuring their cell density (usually absorbance measured on a spectrophotometer at 600 nm wavelength) (FIG. 23).

[0358] We used this complementation based screening approach to search for inhibitors of mycobacterial APS kinase and APS reductase. Strains bearing complementation plasmids were grown in M9 minimal media in 384 well plates. Using the High-throughput screening facility at the Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University, 18000 compounds were added to each of the two complemented strains and the control for a total of 54000 experiments. Compounds were transferred using robotic pin-transfer into each of the 384 well plates for a final concentration of 12-25 mg L⁻¹. Cells were then grown at 37° C. for two days before measuring their absorbance at 650 nm on a 384 well plate reader. Absorbance values for the experimental strains were converted into percentage inhibition relative to the reference strain. 50 compounds were found that gave a 40% or greater inhibition of growth on one or other experimental strain, but not on the control strain. These 50 compounds were cherry picked and the inhibition assay repeated on a larger scale to confirm the observed phenotype. Shown below are six of the most potent compounds detected so far.

E. coli CysC 94 95 E. coli CysH 29  0 E. coli BioB 77 85

E. coli CysC 47  E. coli CysH 0 E. coli BioB 0

E. coli CysC 93 E. coli CysH 25 E. coli BioB  1

E. coli CysC 98 E. coli CysH 97 E. coli BioB  0

E. coli CysC 78 E. coli CysH 90 E. coli BioB  0

[0359] The values under each compound indicate the percent inhibition of growth of each complemented E. coli strain when grown in the presence of 25 μg/mL of each compound. E. coli CysC is JM81A complemented with M. tuberculosis CysC; E. coli CysH is JM81A complementaed with M. smegmatis CysH; E. coli BioB is JM81A control strain containing the BioB gene. 0% represents attenuation of growth or no inhibition of growth.

Example 6 Sulfotransferase Knockout M. tuberculosis Strains

[0360] Individual M. tuberculosis mutant strains have been constructed that lack each of the sulfotransferases we identified: Rv2267c, Rv3529c, and Rv1373. The strains were generated following the method of Parish and Stoker. Parish, T. and N. G. Stoker (2000). “Use of a flexible cassette method to generate a double unmarked Mycobacterium tuberculosis tlyA plcABC mutant by gene replacement.” Microbiology 146 (Pt 8): 1969-75. Briefly, PCR was used to amplify approximately 2 kB fragments of H37Rv genomic DNA flanking the sulfotransferase gene to be deleted. After digestion with appropriate restriction enzymes, these fragments were ligated into a vector with an antibiotic resistance marker insertion between them. This vector, carrying the interrupted allele of the sulfotransferase was transformed into M. tuberculosis H37Rv. After transformation, the cells were selected for homologous recombination between the plasmid and the genomic DNA. Sulfotransferase mutant strains were screened by southern blot hybridization analysis. We observed the expected pattern and molecular weight of bands in the Southern blot, thus confirming that Rv2267c had been deleted from the genome of M. tuberculosis H37Rv.

Example 7 Assay for the Identification of Sulfated Molecules in Mycobacteria

[0361] An assay to search for sulfated compounds absent from the sulfotransferase mutant strains has been developed. The assay uses stable sulfur isotopic labeling and Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) to quickly identify sulfur-containing compounds from crude lipid extracts of wild type M. tuberculosis. First, wild type M. tuberculosis is grown in minimal media containing either Na₂ ³²SO₄ or Na₂ ³⁴SO₄ as the sole sulfur source. In the cells grown with Na₂ ³⁴SO₄-containing media, compounds containing either sulfur or sulfate shift by 2.0 m/z×n, where n is the number of sulfur atoms. Comparison of these isotopically-labeled extracts drastically lowers the spectra complexity and facilitates the rapid identification of compounds containing sulfur. Once these few sulfur-containing compounds are identified, their presence or absence in the sulfotransferase mutant strains is determined. We have found empirically that the initial step using a stable isotope of sulfur to find sulfur-containing compounds is indispensable, although in only about 50% of the cases are these compounds found to be sulfated.

Example 8 Genetic and Biochemical Evidence that Rv2267c is a Sulfotransferase

[0362] The assay described in Example 7 was used to search identified for a sulfated compound absent from the M. tuberculosis strain carrying the interrupted, nonfunctional Rv2267c allele. An ion carrying a single negative charge at m/z 881.6 was found shifted by 2.0 mass units when M. tuberculosis was incubated in ³⁴S-containing medium. This same compound was found absent from the M. tuberculosis strain lacking Rv2267c (FIG. 24). Expression of the Rv2267c gene in the Rv2267c mutant returned the m/z 881 ion. This experiment, in combination with our bioinformatics analysis, shows that the Rv2267c gene product is a sulfotransferase responsible for sulfating the m/z 881.6 ion. Structural information is not yet available for the 881.6 compound; however preliminary data suggests it is a novel sulfated compound.

Example 9

[0363] The CysH gene (APS reductase) in M. tuberculosis was deleted, and the effect of this deletion on the virulence of the commonly used H37Rv laboratory strain of M. tuberculosis was tested.

[0364] The cysH deletion mutant was constructed using the allelic replacement method of Parish and Stoker ((2000) Microbiology 146(8): 1969-75). Oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify 2 kB regions upstream and downstream of the cysH gene. The upstream region was generated using the primer pair MTKOH5F and MTKOH5R, which generates NotI/KpnI and KhindII/PmII fragments, respectively. The sequence of MTKOH5F is 5′ TATTCTATCAAGCTTCACGAGATCGGCACCGATCAG 3′(SEQ ID NO:55). The sequence of MTKOH5R is 5′ AGATCATAGGTACCGATCAACCCGATCGCGGCGTGG 3′(SEQ ID NO:56). The downstream region was generated using primers MTKOH3F and MTKOH3R, which generate HindIII/ScaI and KpnI/NotI fragments. The sequence of MTKOH3F is CTTATTATGGTACCCTCGTCGGTCCAGCGCAGCAGC 3′ (SEQ ID NO:57). The sequence of MTKOH3R is 5′ TAGATAATGCGGCCGCCGGTGTGTAGGTGTTGAAGTC 3′ (SEQ ID NO:58). The PCR products were gel purified and digested with the relevant restriction enzymes and ligated into a similarly digested p2NIL vector that was pre-treated with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (CIAP). A hygromycin resistance marker was inserted between the two fragments into the KpnI restriction site. The final delivery vectors, p2NIL MtCysH and p2NIL_MtCysC were generated by adding the PacI cassette (P_(Ag85)-lacZP_(hsp60)-sacB) from pGOAL17 to the vector bearing the mutated allele. This cassette contains the lacZ reporter gene and the sacB negative selection marker. sacB, which encodes levan sucrase, confers toxicity to the cell when grown on sucrose containing media.

[0365] The delivery vector was pretreated with UV light (120 mJ cm⁻²) and used to electroporate M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Transformants were selected on Middlebrook 7H11 medium containing 20 mg/l kanamycin and 50 mg/l hygromycin. After 3 weeks, colonies were tested for the presence of the lacZ gene and positive colonies were grown overnight in 7H9 medium containing 50 mg/l hygromycin. Serial dilutions were plated onto 7H11 plates containing 2% sucrose, 50 mg/l hygromycin, 2 mM methionine, and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal; 50 mg/l). Colonies that did not turn blue were tested for kanamycin sensitivity and were then subjected to genotypic analysis.

[0366] Eight-week-old BALB/c mice were injected with either H37RvΔCysH or Mtb H37Rv (wild-type M. tuberculosis) (12 mice per strain). The bacteria were injected into the tail vein. Within 21 weeks, all of the mice infected with Mtb H37Rv succumbed to the infection. In contrast, all mice infected with Mtb H37RvΔCysH survived for at least 29 weeks following infection. The data are shown in FIG. 25. The appearance and behavior of the surviving H37RvΔCysH-infected mice were similar to those of uninfected mice. The sizes of the injections in colony forming units (CFU) were as follows: Mtb H37Rv: 1.21×10⁶; Mtb H37RvΔCysH: 1.3×10⁶. These results indicate that in vivo survival and growth of M. tuberculosis depends on intact sulfate assimilation.

[0367] A comparison of lungs of Mtb H37Rv-infected and H37RvΔCysH-infected mice at 13 weeks following infection was made. The Mtb H37Rv-infected mice showed extensive granuloma formation. H37RvΔCysH-infected mice showed few, if any, granulomas.

[0368] While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

1 58 1 1185 DNA Mycobacterium avium CDS (1)...(1185) 1 atg agc gac ttc gac aac atc acc acc gcc gac gac gtc ttc aag ctg 48 Met Ser Asp Phe Asp Asn Ile Thr Thr Ala Asp Asp Val Phe Lys Leu 1 5 10 15 gcc gcg cag cgc acc ggc ctc agc gaa atc gac tcc gac tct tgg cga 96 Ala Ala Gln Arg Thr Gly Leu Ser Glu Ile Asp Ser Asp Ser Trp Arg 20 25 30 gag ggc ctg gcg ctg atc gtc gac gag gtc aac acc tcg ccg gtc ttc 144 Glu Gly Leu Ala Leu Ile Val Asp Glu Val Asn Thr Ser Pro Val Phe 35 40 45 acg ccg ttc ggg cgc cag cga gtc ctc gac gac gcc acc aac gcg ctg 192 Thr Pro Phe Gly Arg Gln Arg Val Leu Asp Asp Ala Thr Asn Ala Leu 50 55 60 ggc cgg cgc cta cag gtg cac gcc tac atc cag gac cac ccc gag gtg 240 Gly Arg Arg Leu Gln Val His Ala Tyr Ile Gln Asp His Pro Glu Val 65 70 75 80 ctc gac gcg ccg gtc gag cgg ccg ctc atc gtg ctc ggc atg ccg cgc 288 Leu Asp Ala Pro Val Glu Arg Pro Leu Ile Val Leu Gly Met Pro Arg 85 90 95 acc ggc acc acg gtc atc agt tac ctg ctc gac cag gac ccg gcc cgg 336 Thr Gly Thr Thr Val Ile Ser Tyr Leu Leu Asp Gln Asp Pro Ala Arg 100 105 110 cgg tcg ctg ctg cac tgg cag tgc gtg cat ccg atc ccg ccg gcg agc 384 Arg Ser Leu Leu His Trp Gln Cys Val His Pro Ile Pro Pro Ala Ser 115 120 125 acc gag acg ctg cgc acc gac ccg cgc tgc ctg gcc ctg ctg gac gag 432 Thr Glu Thr Leu Arg Thr Asp Pro Arg Cys Leu Ala Leu Leu Asp Glu 130 135 140 cag cgc aag atc ctg gac gcc gtg aca cgg gcg aaa atg ccg ctg ccg 480 Gln Arg Lys Ile Leu Asp Ala Val Thr Arg Ala Lys Met Pro Leu Pro 145 150 155 160 cac tgg gaa gac gcc gac ggc ccg acc gag gac atg ttc atc cac aac 528 His Trp Glu Asp Ala Asp Gly Pro Thr Glu Asp Met Phe Ile His Asn 165 170 175 cag gac ttc aag ggc ctg tcc tgg gat tcc ttc ctg ccc aca gac cgc 576 Gln Asp Phe Lys Gly Leu Ser Trp Asp Ser Phe Leu Pro Thr Asp Arg 180 185 190 tac gcg cgg tgg ctg ttc gac gaa gcc gac atg agc agc acg tac gag 624 Tyr Ala Arg Trp Leu Phe Asp Glu Ala Asp Met Ser Ser Thr Tyr Glu 195 200 205 tac cag aag cga tac ctg cag gtg ctg cag tcc acc gcc ccg ggc agc 672 Tyr Gln Lys Arg Tyr Leu Gln Val Leu Gln Ser Thr Ala Pro Gly Ser 210 215 220 tgg agc ctg aag atg ccg tcg cat tcg gtg cac atc gag gcg ctg ctc 720 Trp Ser Leu Lys Met Pro Ser His Ser Val His Ile Glu Ala Leu Leu 225 230 235 240 aag gtg ttc ccg gac gcc cgg ctg atc tgg gcc cac cgc gac ccg tac 768 Lys Val Phe Pro Asp Ala Arg Leu Ile Trp Ala His Arg Asp Pro Tyr 245 250 255 aag gcg acc ggt tcg ctg tgc aac ctg tgg cgg ctg ccg cag agc ctg 816 Lys Ala Thr Gly Ser Leu Cys Asn Leu Trp Arg Leu Pro Gln Ser Leu 260 265 270 gtg atg aac acc gag ctt ctc gat cag acg gag atg ggc cgg ctg gcg 864 Val Met Asn Thr Glu Leu Leu Asp Gln Thr Glu Met Gly Arg Leu Ala 275 280 285 atg tgg cag atg cgc tac cac gtc gac cgg ccg ctg cgg gcc cgc gag 912 Met Trp Gln Met Arg Tyr His Val Asp Arg Pro Leu Arg Ala Arg Glu 290 295 300 cgc atc ggc gac gag cgc ttc ttc cac atg tac tac cac gag atg atg 960 Arg Ile Gly Asp Glu Arg Phe Phe His Met Tyr Tyr His Glu Met Met 305 310 315 320 cgc gac ccg atg gac gtc atg cgg cgc atc tac gag tgg gcc gac gag 1008 Arg Asp Pro Met Asp Val Met Arg Arg Ile Tyr Glu Trp Ala Asp Glu 325 330 335 ccg ttg acc gcc gaa acc gaa gcg cgc atg cgc aat tgg ctc gct cac 1056 Pro Leu Thr Ala Glu Thr Glu Ala Arg Met Arg Asn Trp Leu Ala His 340 345 350 cac ccg cag gac cgg ttc gcg ctc aac gcc tat cgc ctc gac gaa tac 1104 His Pro Gln Asp Arg Phe Ala Leu Asn Ala Tyr Arg Leu Asp Glu Tyr 355 360 365 ggc ctg acc gtc gaa gcg ctc cag ccg atc ttc gcc gaa tac ctc gac 1152 Gly Leu Thr Val Glu Ala Leu Gln Pro Ile Phe Ala Glu Tyr Leu Asp 370 375 380 acc ttc gac att gaa ctg gaa ggc agg ccg tga 1185 Thr Phe Asp Ile Glu Leu Glu Gly Arg Pro * 385 390 2 393 PRT Mycobacterium avium 2 Ser Asp Phe Asp Asn Ile Thr Thr Ala Asp Asp Val Phe Lys Leu Ala 1 5 10 15 Ala Gln Arg Thr Gly Leu Ser Glu Ile Asp Ser Asp Ser Trp Arg Glu 20 25 30 Gly Leu Ala Leu Ile Val Asp Glu Val Asn Thr Ser Pro Val Phe Thr 35 40 45 Pro Phe Gly Arg Gln Arg Val Leu Asp Asp Ala Thr Asn Ala Leu Gly 50 55 60 Arg Arg Leu Gln Val His Ala Tyr Ile Gln Asp His Pro Glu Val Leu 65 70 75 80 Asp Ala Pro Val Glu Arg Pro Leu Ile Val Leu Gly Met Pro Arg Thr 85 90 95 Gly Thr Thr Val Ile Ser Tyr Leu Leu Asp Gln Asp Pro Ala Arg Arg 100 105 110 Ser Leu Leu His Trp Gln Cys Val His Pro Ile Pro Pro Ala Ser Thr 115 120 125 Glu Thr Leu Arg Thr Asp Pro Arg Cys Leu Ala Leu Leu Asp Glu Gln 130 135 140 Arg Lys Ile Leu Asp Ala Val Thr Arg Ala Lys Met Pro Leu Pro His 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Asp Ala Asp Gly Pro Thr Glu Asp Met Phe Ile His Asn Gln 165 170 175 Asp Phe Lys Gly Leu Ser Trp Asp Ser Phe Leu Pro Thr Asp Arg Tyr 180 185 190 Ala Arg Trp Leu Phe Asp Glu Ala Asp Met Ser Ser Thr Tyr Glu Tyr 195 200 205 Gln Lys Arg Tyr Leu Gln Val Leu Gln Ser Thr Ala Pro Gly Ser Trp 210 215 220 Ser Leu Lys Met Pro Ser His Ser Val His Ile Glu Ala Leu Leu Lys 225 230 235 240 Val Phe Pro Asp Ala Arg Leu Ile Trp Ala His Arg Asp Pro Tyr Lys 245 250 255 Ala Thr Gly Ser Leu Cys Asn Leu Trp Arg Leu Pro Gln Ser Leu Val 260 265 270 Met Asn Thr Glu Leu Leu Asp Gln Thr Glu Met Gly Arg Leu Ala Met 275 280 285 Trp Gln Met Arg Tyr His Val Asp Arg Pro Leu Arg Ala Arg Glu Arg 290 295 300 Ile Gly Asp Glu Arg Phe Phe His Met Tyr Tyr His Glu Met Met Arg 305 310 315 320 Asp Pro Met Asp Val Met Arg Arg Ile Tyr Glu Trp Ala Asp Glu Pro 325 330 335 Leu Thr Ala Glu Thr Glu Ala Arg Met Arg Asn Trp Leu Ala His His 340 345 350 Pro Gln Asp Arg Phe Ala Leu Asn Ala Tyr Arg Leu Asp Glu Tyr Gly 355 360 365 Leu Thr Val Glu Ala Leu Gln Pro Ile Phe Ala Glu Tyr Leu Asp Thr 370 375 380 Phe Asp Ile Glu Leu Glu Gly Arg Pro 385 390 3 1146 DNA Mycobacterium avium CDS (1)...(1146) 3 atg acg ttc gac gtc gac gag ttg gag cag ggc gct tgc gcg gcg acc 48 Met Thr Phe Asp Val Asp Glu Leu Glu Gln Gly Ala Cys Ala Ala Thr 1 5 10 15 gat ctc gag gac ttc ggc tcg ccg tac tac cgc gag gga ctc gaa cgc 96 Asp Leu Glu Asp Phe Gly Ser Pro Tyr Tyr Arg Glu Gly Leu Glu Arg 20 25 30 att gtt gac gcg ctg aac acc gag gcg gac ctg aac gac atg ggc cgg 144 Ile Val Asp Ala Leu Asn Thr Glu Ala Asp Leu Asn Asp Met Gly Arg 35 40 45 gtc atc cag cac gcc act atc agc aac gcg cta atc caa cgt ctc aag 192 Val Ile Gln His Ala Thr Ile Ser Asn Ala Leu Ile Gln Arg Leu Lys 50 55 60 gtc gag cag acc tac gct gcg cac cca gag atc gac gag cag gtg gtg 240 Val Glu Gln Thr Tyr Ala Ala His Pro Glu Ile Asp Glu Gln Val Val 65 70 75 80 ggc ggc ccc gtg ttc gtg atc gga tta ccc cgc acc ggg acc acc gcc 288 Gly Gly Pro Val Phe Val Ile Gly Leu Pro Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Ala 85 90 95 ctg agc caa ctc gtc ggc gcc gat ccg cag ttc cgg tcg ctg cgg atg 336 Leu Ser Gln Leu Val Gly Ala Asp Pro Gln Phe Arg Ser Leu Arg Met 100 105 110 tgg gaa tcc caa tca ccc acc ccg cca ccg gaa gcc gcc acc cag cac 384 Trp Glu Ser Gln Ser Pro Thr Pro Pro Pro Glu Ala Ala Thr Gln His 115 120 125 agc gac cca cgg atc gca cag gcc gcc gcc ggc ctg aaa atg ctc gac 432 Ser Asp Pro Arg Ile Ala Gln Ala Ala Ala Gly Leu Lys Met Leu Asp 130 135 140 gag atg ttc ccg ctg atg aaa acg ctg tac aac tcc gag ccc acg gca 480 Glu Met Phe Pro Leu Met Lys Thr Leu Tyr Asn Ser Glu Pro Thr Ala 145 150 155 160 cct acc gaa tgc cag gac ttg atg gga atg agc ttt cgt acc ttt cac 528 Pro Thr Glu Cys Gln Asp Leu Met Gly Met Ser Phe Arg Thr Phe His 165 170 175 ttt gac ggt gcc gtg cgc gca ccg gga tat ctg tcc tgg ctg atg ggc 576 Phe Asp Gly Ala Val Arg Ala Pro Gly Tyr Leu Ser Trp Leu Met Gly 180 185 190 tgc gac atg cgg ggc acc tat ctg tat cac cgg cgg gtg ctc aaa ctc 624 Cys Asp Met Arg Gly Thr Tyr Leu Tyr His Arg Arg Val Leu Lys Leu 195 200 205 ctg caa tgg cac tgc cca ccg gtg ctg tgg cac ctc aag act ccg gtg 672 Leu Gln Trp His Cys Pro Pro Val Leu Trp His Leu Lys Thr Pro Val 210 215 220 cac atg ttc gcc ctc gac gcc ctc gtc gag gcc tac ccg gac gcc aag 720 His Met Phe Ala Leu Asp Ala Leu Val Glu Ala Tyr Pro Asp Ala Lys 225 230 235 240 ttc ctg tgg agt cac cgc gac ccc gcc aag gtg atg gcc tcg gta tgc 768 Phe Leu Trp Ser His Arg Asp Pro Ala Lys Val Met Ala Ser Val Cys 245 250 255 agc ctc att caa tac gta cgc agc tgg agt agc gac cgc aac gac cct 816 Ser Leu Ile Gln Tyr Val Arg Ser Trp Ser Ser Asp Arg Asn Asp Pro 260 265 270 cac gag ctc ggc cgt gag cag gtc gac agc tgg gtc gaa gga gtc cgt 864 His Glu Leu Gly Arg Glu Gln Val Asp Ser Trp Val Glu Gly Val Arg 275 280 285 cgc gca atg gat ttc cgt cgc cgc aac ggc gac gag cgc ttc gcc gac 912 Arg Ala Met Asp Phe Arg Arg Arg Asn Gly Asp Glu Arg Phe Ala Asp 290 295 300 gtg tcc ttc gcc gac ttg cag acc gac ccg gtc ggc acc ctg cgc gcc 960 Val Ser Phe Ala Asp Leu Gln Thr Asp Pro Val Gly Thr Leu Arg Ala 305 310 315 320 agc tac cag tcc ctg ggc ctg gac ttc acc gat gac act ttg cac gcg 1008 Ser Tyr Gln Ser Leu Gly Leu Asp Phe Thr Asp Asp Thr Leu His Ala 325 330 335 gtc acg cag tgg gcg cgg acg cat cga ccc ggt tcc cgt ggc cac cat 1056 Val Thr Gln Trp Ala Arg Thr His Arg Pro Gly Ser Arg Gly His His 340 345 350 gac tac gac ttg gcc gac tac ggc ctg acg ccc gaa ggt gtt cgg gaa 1104 Asp Tyr Asp Leu Ala Asp Tyr Gly Leu Thr Pro Glu Gly Val Arg Glu 355 360 365 cgg ttc gcg gac tac ctc gcc gtc tac gac gcg acg gca tga 1146 Arg Phe Ala Asp Tyr Leu Ala Val Tyr Asp Ala Thr Ala * 370 375 380 4 380 PRT Mycobacterium avium 4 Thr Phe Asp Val Asp Glu Leu Glu Gln Gly Ala Cys Ala Ala Thr Asp 1 5 10 15 Leu Glu Asp Phe Gly Ser Pro Tyr Tyr Arg Glu Gly Leu Glu Arg Ile 20 25 30 Val Asp Ala Leu Asn Thr Glu Ala Asp Leu Asn Asp Met Gly Arg Val 35 40 45 Ile Gln His Ala Thr Ile Ser Asn Ala Leu Ile Gln Arg Leu Lys Val 50 55 60 Glu Gln Thr Tyr Ala Ala His Pro Glu Ile Asp Glu Gln Val Val Gly 65 70 75 80 Gly Pro Val Phe Val Ile Gly Leu Pro Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Ala Leu 85 90 95 Ser Gln Leu Val Gly Ala Asp Pro Gln Phe Arg Ser Leu Arg Met Trp 100 105 110 Glu Ser Gln Ser Pro Thr Pro Pro Pro Glu Ala Ala Thr Gln His Ser 115 120 125 Asp Pro Arg Ile Ala Gln Ala Ala Ala Gly Leu Lys Met Leu Asp Glu 130 135 140 Met Phe Pro Leu Met Lys Thr Leu Tyr Asn Ser Glu Pro Thr Ala Pro 145 150 155 160 Thr Glu Cys Gln Asp Leu Met Gly Met Ser Phe Arg Thr Phe His Phe 165 170 175 Asp Gly Ala Val Arg Ala Pro Gly Tyr Leu Ser Trp Leu Met Gly Cys 180 185 190 Asp Met Arg Gly Thr Tyr Leu Tyr His Arg Arg Val Leu Lys Leu Leu 195 200 205 Gln Trp His Cys Pro Pro Val Leu Trp His Leu Lys Thr Pro Val His 210 215 220 Met Phe Ala Leu Asp Ala Leu Val Glu Ala Tyr Pro Asp Ala Lys Phe 225 230 235 240 Leu Trp Ser His Arg Asp Pro Ala Lys Val Met Ala Ser Val Cys Ser 245 250 255 Leu Ile Gln Tyr Val Arg Ser Trp Ser Ser Asp Arg Asn Asp Pro His 260 265 270 Glu Leu Gly Arg Glu Gln Val Asp Ser Trp Val Glu Gly Val Arg Arg 275 280 285 Ala Met Asp Phe Arg Arg Arg Asn Gly Asp Glu Arg Phe Ala Asp Val 290 295 300 Ser Phe Ala Asp Leu Gln Thr Asp Pro Val Gly Thr Leu Arg Ala Ser 305 310 315 320 Tyr Gln Ser Leu Gly Leu Asp Phe Thr Asp Asp Thr Leu His Ala Val 325 330 335 Thr Gln Trp Ala Arg Thr His Arg Pro Gly Ser Arg Gly His His Asp 340 345 350 Tyr Asp Leu Ala Asp Tyr Gly Leu Thr Pro Glu Gly Val Arg Glu Arg 355 360 365 Phe Ala Asp Tyr Leu Ala Val Tyr Asp Ala Thr Ala 370 375 380 5 1170 DNA Mycobacterium avium CDS (1)...(1170) 5 atg tcg ccg gcg gac agt gga tgg gct gat cca atg ccg gca gtc aac 48 Met Ser Pro Ala Asp Ser Gly Trp Ala Asp Pro Met Pro Ala Val Asn 1 5 10 15 gat ctc ctg caa acc gcg gtt gcc cag acc ggt ctc gac gat ttc ggg 96 Asp Leu Leu Gln Thr Ala Val Ala Gln Thr Gly Leu Asp Asp Phe Gly 20 25 30 gat gat tcc ttt cga gaa ggc ctc gag ata ctg ttg acg tcg ctg cgc 144 Asp Asp Ser Phe Arg Glu Gly Leu Glu Ile Leu Leu Thr Ser Leu Arg 35 40 45 gat gag gcc cgg ctc aac gcc aaa ggt gag gcc ttc atc tat ccg cgg 192 Asp Glu Ala Arg Leu Asn Ala Lys Gly Glu Ala Phe Ile Tyr Pro Arg 50 55 60 atc acc gca tac ctt gct cag cgg ctg cag gtc gag gat tgg tac cgc 240 Ile Thr Ala Tyr Leu Ala Gln Arg Leu Gln Val Glu Asp Trp Tyr Arg 65 70 75 80 cgg cat ccc gag atc gac gag gtg tcc ctc gag tct ccg ctg atc ggg 288 Arg His Pro Glu Ile Asp Glu Val Ser Leu Glu Ser Pro Leu Ile Gly 85 90 95 ctc ggc ttg ccg cgc aca ggg tcg acg gca ttg tcg atg ctg ctc gct 336 Leu Gly Leu Pro Arg Thr Gly Ser Thr Ala Leu Ser Met Leu Leu Ala 100 105 110 cag gac ccc gat gtc cgg tat ctg cgc aaa tgg gag tcc tcc caa ccg 384 Gln Asp Pro Asp Val Arg Tyr Leu Arg Lys Trp Glu Ser Ser Gln Pro 115 120 125 tgt ccg ccg ccg tcg acc gtg tgc ggt gtg gat ccg cgc atc ccg ccc 432 Cys Pro Pro Pro Ser Thr Val Cys Gly Val Asp Pro Arg Ile Pro Pro 130 135 140 ggc aag ggg gaa atg atc ggc act cgc cac cat gtg ccc acg gac gcc 480 Gly Lys Gly Glu Met Ile Gly Thr Arg His His Val Pro Thr Asp Ala 145 150 155 160 aac ggg ccg atg gaa tgt cac gag ctg atg gct ctg agt ttc gcc tcc 528 Asn Gly Pro Met Glu Cys His Glu Leu Met Ala Leu Ser Phe Ala Ser 165 170 175 cac ctg ttc cag tcg ctg gcc caa gtt ccc acc tat tcg gcg tgg ctg 576 His Leu Phe Gln Ser Leu Ala Gln Val Pro Thr Tyr Ser Ala Trp Leu 180 185 190 gtg gcc gac gcc gac ctc acc tcg gcg ctc gcg tac gag cgt cgg gtg 624 Val Ala Asp Ala Asp Leu Thr Ser Ala Leu Ala Tyr Glu Arg Arg Val 195 200 205 ctc aag ctg ctg gcc tgg ggt gag ccg acg cgg ccg tgg agg ctg aaa 672 Leu Lys Leu Leu Ala Trp Gly Glu Pro Thr Arg Pro Trp Arg Leu Lys 210 215 220 tgc ccc tcg cac gtg ctc tgg ctt gac cgc ctg gcc gcg gtc ttc cca 720 Cys Pro Ser His Val Leu Trp Leu Asp Arg Leu Ala Ala Val Phe Pro 225 230 235 240 gac gcc aaa ttc gtg atg acg cac cgt gat ccc acc gac gtc atc ctg 768 Asp Ala Lys Phe Val Met Thr His Arg Asp Pro Thr Asp Val Ile Leu 245 250 255 tca gtc gcc gac ctc tac gcc gac atc atc ggc cag ttc acc gac gac 816 Ser Val Ala Asp Leu Tyr Ala Asp Ile Ile Gly Gln Phe Thr Asp Asp 260 265 270 atc gac cgc ccc tat atc ggg cgg ctc aac gtc gag cat tgg tcg ttg 864 Ile Asp Arg Pro Tyr Ile Gly Arg Leu Asn Val Glu His Trp Ser Leu 275 280 285 ggc atg gcc cgc acg ctg cag ttc cgg gca gcg ggc aac gat aac cgg 912 Gly Met Ala Arg Thr Leu Gln Phe Arg Ala Ala Gly Asn Asp Asn Arg 290 295 300 ttc tat gac atc gac ttt cgc gcg atg cag gcc gac ccg atc ggc gag 960 Phe Tyr Asp Ile Asp Phe Arg Ala Met Gln Ala Asp Pro Ile Gly Glu 305 310 315 320 gtg acg gga tta tat cgc tgg ctt ggc gaa cag gtc agc gac gaa ttc 1008 Val Thr Gly Leu Tyr Arg Trp Leu Gly Glu Gln Val Ser Asp Glu Phe 325 330 335 gag ggc cga atg aac agc tgg tgg gcg cag gcg gca acc gag cgc gaa 1056 Glu Gly Arg Met Asn Ser Trp Trp Ala Gln Ala Ala Thr Glu Arg Glu 340 345 350 ccc agc agc cat gct gac cct gtt cag ttc ggg atc gac ctg gat tcg 1104 Pro Ser Ser His Ala Asp Pro Val Gln Phe Gly Ile Asp Leu Asp Ser 355 360 365 ata cgg ccg ctg ttc gcc gac tac atc acg gcc gcc gcc gac tgg acc 1152 Ile Arg Pro Leu Phe Ala Asp Tyr Ile Thr Ala Ala Ala Asp Trp Thr 370 375 380 gca cac gcc gac atc tag 1170 Ala His Ala Asp Ile * 385 6 388 PRT Mycobacterium avium 6 Ser Pro Ala Asp Ser Gly Trp Ala Asp Pro Met Pro Ala Val Asn Asp 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Gln Thr Ala Val Ala Gln Thr Gly Leu Asp Asp Phe Gly Asp 20 25 30 Asp Ser Phe Arg Glu Gly Leu Glu Ile Leu Leu Thr Ser Leu Arg Asp 35 40 45 Glu Ala Arg Leu Asn Ala Lys Gly Glu Ala Phe Ile Tyr Pro Arg Ile 50 55 60 Thr Ala Tyr Leu Ala Gln Arg Leu Gln Val Glu Asp Trp Tyr Arg Arg 65 70 75 80 His Pro Glu Ile Asp Glu Val Ser Leu Glu Ser Pro Leu Ile Gly Leu 85 90 95 Gly Leu Pro Arg Thr Gly Ser Thr Ala Leu Ser Met Leu Leu Ala Gln 100 105 110 Asp Pro Asp Val Arg Tyr Leu Arg Lys Trp Glu Ser Ser Gln Pro Cys 115 120 125 Pro Pro Pro Ser Thr Val Cys Gly Val Asp Pro Arg Ile Pro Pro Gly 130 135 140 Lys Gly Glu Met Ile Gly Thr Arg His His Val Pro Thr Asp Ala Asn 145 150 155 160 Gly Pro Met Glu Cys His Glu Leu Met Ala Leu Ser Phe Ala Ser His 165 170 175 Leu Phe Gln Ser Leu Ala Gln Val Pro Thr Tyr Ser Ala Trp Leu Val 180 185 190 Ala Asp Ala Asp Leu Thr Ser Ala Leu Ala Tyr Glu Arg Arg Val Leu 195 200 205 Lys Leu Leu Ala Trp Gly Glu Pro Thr Arg Pro Trp Arg Leu Lys Cys 210 215 220 Pro Ser His Val Leu Trp Leu Asp Arg Leu Ala Ala Val Phe Pro Asp 225 230 235 240 Ala Lys Phe Val Met Thr His Arg Asp Pro Thr Asp Val Ile Leu Ser 245 250 255 Val Ala Asp Leu Tyr Ala Asp Ile Ile Gly Gln Phe Thr Asp Asp Ile 260 265 270 Asp Arg Pro Tyr Ile Gly Arg Leu Asn Val Glu His Trp Ser Leu Gly 275 280 285 Met Ala Arg Thr Leu Gln Phe Arg Ala Ala Gly Asn Asp Asn Arg Phe 290 295 300 Tyr Asp Ile Asp Phe Arg Ala Met Gln Ala Asp Pro Ile Gly Glu Val 305 310 315 320 Thr Gly Leu Tyr Arg Trp Leu Gly Glu Gln Val Ser Asp Glu Phe Glu 325 330 335 Gly Arg Met Asn Ser Trp Trp Ala Gln Ala Ala Thr Glu Arg Glu Pro 340 345 350 Ser Ser His Ala Asp Pro Val Gln Phe Gly Ile Asp Leu Asp Ser Ile 355 360 365 Arg Pro Leu Phe Ala Asp Tyr Ile Thr Ala Ala Ala Asp Trp Thr Ala 370 375 380 His Ala Asp Ile 385 7 1164 DNA Mycobacterium avium CDS (1)...(1164) 7 atg atg gcc gcg atg gcc ccg cag tgc ccg ctg gat gcc gac gcg ctg 48 Met Met Ala Ala Met Ala Pro Gln Cys Pro Leu Asp Ala Asp Ala Leu 1 5 10 15 cac gcc cag gcc agc gcc gac acc ggc ctg cac gac ttc ggg ccc gac 96 His Ala Gln Ala Ser Ala Asp Thr Gly Leu His Asp Phe Gly Pro Asp 20 25 30 gac tac cgg gag cgc ctc gag gtc tac ctg acc gcg ctg cgc gaa atc 144 Asp Tyr Arg Glu Arg Leu Glu Val Tyr Leu Thr Ala Leu Arg Glu Ile 35 40 45 gac ggg ctg cac gcc gcc ggg acg gtc aac ttc tac ggt cag ctg ctg 192 Asp Gly Leu His Ala Ala Gly Thr Val Asn Phe Tyr Gly Gln Leu Leu 50 55 60 cag atc ctc aag aac cgg ctg ctg ctg acc gac ctg ctc aag cgc cat 240 Gln Ile Leu Lys Asn Arg Leu Leu Leu Thr Asp Leu Leu Lys Arg His 65 70 75 80 ccc gag atc cac gac atc gaa ctg cgc tcc ccg gtg gtg atc gcc ggg 288 Pro Glu Ile His Asp Ile Glu Leu Arg Ser Pro Val Val Ile Ala Gly 85 90 95 ctg ccc cgc acc ggc acc acc cac ctg cac aac ctg ctg gcc gcg cca 336 Leu Pro Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr His Leu His Asn Leu Leu Ala Ala Pro 100 105 110 ccc acc ttc cgc acc atg ccc tac tgg gaa agc gtg gag ccg ttt ccg 384 Pro Thr Phe Arg Thr Met Pro Tyr Trp Glu Ser Val Glu Pro Phe Pro 115 120 125 atg ccc aat gag gtt ggc gtg caa ccg gat ccg cgg cga acc cgg atg 432 Met Pro Asn Glu Val Gly Val Gln Pro Asp Pro Arg Arg Thr Arg Met 130 135 140 gac gtc gcg gtc gcg gtg atc aac acg gtg atg ccg cat ttc gcg ctg 480 Asp Val Ala Val Ala Val Ile Asn Thr Val Met Pro His Phe Ala Leu 145 150 155 160 atg cac gag atg acc acc gat cac gtc cac gag gag atc cag ttg ctg 528 Met His Glu Met Thr Thr Asp His Val His Glu Glu Ile Gln Leu Leu 165 170 175 gcc aac gac gtg tcc acc atg ctg ctg gag acg ctc gcc gag gtg ccg 576 Ala Asn Asp Val Ser Thr Met Leu Leu Glu Thr Leu Ala Glu Val Pro 180 185 190 cgc tgg cgc gcc tac tac cag gcc cac gat cag acg ccg cac tac gaa 624 Arg Trp Arg Ala Tyr Tyr Gln Ala His Asp Gln Thr Pro His Tyr Glu 195 200 205 tat ctg gcc acc cag ctg cgg gcg atg cag ttc ctg cgc ggc ggc cgg 672 Tyr Leu Ala Thr Gln Leu Arg Ala Met Gln Phe Leu Arg Gly Gly Arg 210 215 220 cgc tgg ctg ctc aag tcg cct cag cat ctc gag cag gtg ccg gtg ctg 720 Arg Trp Leu Leu Lys Ser Pro Gln His Leu Glu Gln Val Pro Val Leu 225 230 235 240 gat cgg gtg ttc ccg gac agc atc gtc gtg ttc acc cac cgc gac ccg 768 Asp Arg Val Phe Pro Asp Ser Ile Val Val Phe Thr His Arg Asp Pro 245 250 255 gtg ccg gtg gcg ctg tcg atg atc gcg atg atc acc tac tcg gcc cgc 816 Val Pro Val Ala Leu Ser Met Ile Ala Met Ile Thr Tyr Ser Ala Arg 260 265 270 atg cac cgc tcg ccg gtg ccg gtg cgc cag atc gcc gag tcc tgg atc 864 Met His Arg Ser Pro Val Pro Val Arg Gln Ile Ala Glu Ser Trp Ile 275 280 285 gac cgc ctg ggg cag atg ctg gcc gcg ctg gtc cgc gac cgc gac gtc 912 Asp Arg Leu Gly Gln Met Leu Ala Ala Leu Val Arg Asp Arg Asp Val 290 295 300 atc ggc ccg gac cgt tcg atc gac atc cgc ttc gac gac ttc atg gcc 960 Ile Gly Pro Asp Arg Ser Ile Asp Ile Arg Phe Asp Asp Phe Met Ala 305 310 315 320 gac gaa ctc ggc gtg gcc gag cgg gtc tac gcc ctg gcg gac gag ccg 1008 Asp Glu Leu Gly Val Ala Glu Arg Val Tyr Ala Leu Ala Asp Glu Pro 325 330 335 ttc acc gac gac gcg cgc gcg gcc gtc gcc gac tac ctg gcg ggt cac 1056 Phe Thr Asp Asp Ala Arg Ala Ala Val Ala Asp Tyr Leu Ala Gly His 340 345 350 cgc cgc ggc cgg ctg ggc aac gtc gaa acg tcc tac gag atg ttc ggg 1104 Arg Arg Gly Arg Leu Gly Asn Val Glu Thr Ser Tyr Glu Met Phe Gly 355 360 365 ttg gac gag gac agc ctg cgc gag cgt ttc gcc ccc tac gtc gag cgg 1152 Leu Asp Glu Asp Ser Leu Arg Glu Arg Phe Ala Pro Tyr Val Glu Arg 370 375 380 ttc ctg gcc taa 1164 Phe Leu Ala * 385 8 386 PRT Mycobacterium avium 8 Met Ala Ala Met Ala Pro Gln Cys Pro Leu Asp Ala Asp Ala Leu His 1 5 10 15 Ala Gln Ala Ser Ala Asp Thr Gly Leu His Asp Phe Gly Pro Asp Asp 20 25 30 Tyr Arg Glu Arg Leu Glu Val Tyr Leu Thr Ala Leu Arg Glu Ile Asp 35 40 45 Gly Leu His Ala Ala Gly Thr Val Asn Phe Tyr Gly Gln Leu Leu Gln 50 55 60 Ile Leu Lys Asn Arg Leu Leu Leu Thr Asp Leu Leu Lys Arg His Pro 65 70 75 80 Glu Ile His Asp Ile Glu Leu Arg Ser Pro Val Val Ile Ala Gly Leu 85 90 95 Pro Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr His Leu His Asn Leu Leu Ala Ala Pro Pro 100 105 110 Thr Phe Arg Thr Met Pro Tyr Trp Glu Ser Val Glu Pro Phe Pro Met 115 120 125 Pro Asn Glu Val Gly Val Gln Pro Asp Pro Arg Arg Thr Arg Met Asp 130 135 140 Val Ala Val Ala Val Ile Asn Thr Val Met Pro His Phe Ala Leu Met 145 150 155 160 His Glu Met Thr Thr Asp His Val His Glu Glu Ile Gln Leu Leu Ala 165 170 175 Asn Asp Val Ser Thr Met Leu Leu Glu Thr Leu Ala Glu Val Pro Arg 180 185 190 Trp Arg Ala Tyr Tyr Gln Ala His Asp Gln Thr Pro His Tyr Glu Tyr 195 200 205 Leu Ala Thr Gln Leu Arg Ala Met Gln Phe Leu Arg Gly Gly Arg Arg 210 215 220 Trp Leu Leu Lys Ser Pro Gln His Leu Glu Gln Val Pro Val Leu Asp 225 230 235 240 Arg Val Phe Pro Asp Ser Ile Val Val Phe Thr His Arg Asp Pro Val 245 250 255 Pro Val Ala Leu Ser Met Ile Ala Met Ile Thr Tyr Ser Ala Arg Met 260 265 270 His Arg Ser Pro Val Pro Val Arg Gln Ile Ala Glu Ser Trp Ile Asp 275 280 285 Arg Leu Gly Gln Met Leu Ala Ala Leu Val Arg Asp Arg Asp Val Ile 290 295 300 Gly Pro Asp Arg Ser Ile Asp Ile Arg Phe Asp Asp Phe Met Ala Asp 305 310 315 320 Glu Leu Gly Val Ala Glu Arg Val Tyr Ala Leu Ala Asp Glu Pro Phe 325 330 335 Thr Asp Asp Ala Arg Ala Ala Val Ala Asp Tyr Leu Ala Gly His Arg 340 345 350 Arg Gly Arg Leu Gly Asn Val Glu Thr Ser Tyr Glu Met Phe Gly Leu 355 360 365 Asp Glu Asp Ser Leu Arg Glu Arg Phe Ala Pro Tyr Val Glu Arg Phe 370 375 380 Leu Ala 385 9 1146 DNA Mycobacterium avium CDS (1)...(1146) 9 atg ctc gcc gag gcg atc gaa cag gcc ggc ctg ccc ggc gcc gac ctc 48 Met Leu Ala Glu Ala Ile Glu Gln Ala Gly Leu Pro Gly Ala Asp Leu 1 5 10 15 gac gac acg cac ggc ttc gtc gac cgt ctg cac gtc cac gtc gcg gcg 96 Asp Asp Thr His Gly Phe Val Asp Arg Leu His Val His Val Ala Ala 20 25 30 atc gaa gcc gac cac ggg ctg cgc cag ctc acc cgg ggg tcg ctg cgg 144 Ile Glu Ala Asp His Gly Leu Arg Gln Leu Thr Arg Gly Ser Leu Arg 35 40 45 caa cgc gtg gtg cgg ctg ctg cgc aac cgg ttg tcg ctg acc gag ctg 192 Gln Arg Val Val Arg Leu Leu Arg Asn Arg Leu Ser Leu Thr Glu Leu 50 55 60 ctc cag cgg tat ccc gag atc gag tcc atc ccg atc gag cag ccg ttc 240 Leu Gln Arg Tyr Pro Glu Ile Glu Ser Ile Pro Ile Glu Gln Pro Phe 65 70 75 80 atc gtc gtc ggg atg ccg cgt tcg ggc acc acg cat ctt gtg aac ctg 288 Ile Val Val Gly Met Pro Arg Ser Gly Thr Thr His Leu Val Asn Leu 85 90 95 atc gcc tgc gac ccg cgc cgg cgt gca ctg ccc tat tgg gag agc cag 336 Ile Ala Cys Asp Pro Arg Arg Arg Ala Leu Pro Tyr Trp Glu Ser Gln 100 105 110 gag cct atc ccg gcc cgt ggt cag ggc ccc gac gtc ttc ggt gtc gac 384 Glu Pro Ile Pro Ala Arg Gly Gln Gly Pro Asp Val Phe Gly Val Asp 115 120 125 ccc cgg tat gcc cgc gcc aag gcg gaa cac gag gcg ctg atg gcc agc 432 Pro Arg Tyr Ala Arg Ala Lys Ala Glu His Glu Ala Leu Met Ala Ser 130 135 140 gcg ccc gtg gtg gcc gcc atg cac gac cgg ttt ccc gag gcg atc gag 480 Ala Pro Val Val Ala Ala Met His Asp Arg Phe Pro Glu Ala Ile Glu 145 150 155 160 gag gaa gtg gaa ctg ctc gac ctc gat ctg gcc tcc tac gtc ctg gaa 528 Glu Glu Val Glu Leu Leu Asp Leu Asp Leu Ala Ser Tyr Val Leu Glu 165 170 175 tgg cat gcg cgg gtg ccc gcc tgg cgc gat cac tac ctg agc ctg gac 576 Trp His Ala Arg Val Pro Ala Trp Arg Asp His Tyr Leu Ser Leu Asp 180 185 190 caa acc cgg cac tac gcc tac ctg aag aag gtg ttg cag gcg ttg acc 624 Gln Thr Arg His Tyr Ala Tyr Leu Lys Lys Val Leu Gln Ala Leu Thr 195 200 205 ttc ctg cgc ggg ccg cgg acc tgg gtg ctc aaa agt ccg cag cac tgc 672 Phe Leu Arg Gly Pro Arg Thr Trp Val Leu Lys Ser Pro Gln His Cys 210 215 220 gag cag ctc ggc ccg ctg atg gcg acc ttc ccc gat gcg acg atc gcg 720 Glu Gln Leu Gly Pro Leu Met Ala Thr Phe Pro Asp Ala Thr Ile Ala 225 230 235 240 ttc acg cac cgc gac ccc gtc gca gtg atc cag tcg gcg atc acc atg 768 Phe Thr His Arg Asp Pro Val Ala Val Ile Gln Ser Ala Ile Thr Met 245 250 255 atg gcc tac tcg gat cgg ttg cgc cgc acc agc att gac ccg cag tgg 816 Met Ala Tyr Ser Asp Arg Leu Arg Arg Thr Ser Ile Asp Pro Gln Trp 260 265 270 ctg ctg gac tac tgg agc gac cgg gtg cac cga ctg ctg agc gcc tgc 864 Leu Leu Asp Tyr Trp Ser Asp Arg Val His Arg Leu Leu Ser Ala Cys 275 280 285 gtc cgc gac cgc gac ctg gtg gcc ccg gaa cgc agc gtc gac atc agc 912 Val Arg Asp Arg Asp Leu Val Ala Pro Glu Arg Ser Val Asp Ile Ser 290 295 300 ttc cat cag ttg agc ggc aac gag atc ccg gtg atc gaa cgg ctg tat 960 Phe His Gln Leu Ser Gly Asn Glu Ile Pro Val Ile Glu Arg Leu Tyr 305 310 315 320 gag cgc ggc ggg gtg gaa ttg ccg cag cgg gtg cgc gac cgc ttt cag 1008 Glu Arg Gly Gly Val Glu Leu Pro Gln Arg Val Arg Asp Arg Phe Gln 325 330 335 cgc tac ctg gac gga aat ccg cgc ggt aag cac ggc cgc atc cgc tac 1056 Arg Tyr Leu Asp Gly Asn Pro Arg Gly Lys His Gly Arg Ile Arg Tyr 340 345 350 cag ttg cag cgc cat ttc ggc atc tcc gcc gac gag ctg cgc gcc cgt 1104 Gln Leu Gln Arg His Phe Gly Ile Ser Ala Asp Glu Leu Arg Ala Arg 355 360 365 ttc ggc ttc tac ttc gac aag ttc gac gtg cgc ccc gaa tga 1146 Phe Gly Phe Tyr Phe Asp Lys Phe Asp Val Arg Pro Glu * 370 375 380 10 380 PRT Mycobacterium avium 10 Leu Ala Glu Ala Ile Glu Gln Ala Gly Leu Pro Gly Ala Asp Leu Asp 1 5 10 15 Asp Thr His Gly Phe Val Asp Arg Leu His Val His Val Ala Ala Ile 20 25 30 Glu Ala Asp His Gly Leu Arg Gln Leu Thr Arg Gly Ser Leu Arg Gln 35 40 45 Arg Val Val Arg Leu Leu Arg Asn Arg Leu Ser Leu Thr Glu Leu Leu 50 55 60 Gln Arg Tyr Pro Glu Ile Glu Ser Ile Pro Ile Glu Gln Pro Phe Ile 65 70 75 80 Val Val Gly Met Pro Arg Ser Gly Thr Thr His Leu Val Asn Leu Ile 85 90 95 Ala Cys Asp Pro Arg Arg Arg Ala Leu Pro Tyr Trp Glu Ser Gln Glu 100 105 110 Pro Ile Pro Ala Arg Gly Gln Gly Pro Asp Val Phe Gly Val Asp Pro 115 120 125 Arg Tyr Ala Arg Ala Lys Ala Glu His Glu Ala Leu Met Ala Ser Ala 130 135 140 Pro Val Val Ala Ala Met His Asp Arg Phe Pro Glu Ala Ile Glu Glu 145 150 155 160 Glu Val Glu Leu Leu Asp Leu Asp Leu Ala Ser Tyr Val Leu Glu Trp 165 170 175 His Ala Arg Val Pro Ala Trp Arg Asp His Tyr Leu Ser Leu Asp Gln 180 185 190 Thr Arg His Tyr Ala Tyr Leu Lys Lys Val Leu Gln Ala Leu Thr Phe 195 200 205 Leu Arg Gly Pro Arg Thr Trp Val Leu Lys Ser Pro Gln His Cys Glu 210 215 220 Gln Leu Gly Pro Leu Met Ala Thr Phe Pro Asp Ala Thr Ile Ala Phe 225 230 235 240 Thr His Arg Asp Pro Val Ala Val Ile Gln Ser Ala Ile Thr Met Met 245 250 255 Ala Tyr Ser Asp Arg Leu Arg Arg Thr Ser Ile Asp Pro Gln Trp Leu 260 265 270 Leu Asp Tyr Trp Ser Asp Arg Val His Arg Leu Leu Ser Ala Cys Val 275 280 285 Arg Asp Arg Asp Leu Val Ala Pro Glu Arg Ser Val Asp Ile Ser Phe 290 295 300 His Gln Leu Ser Gly Asn Glu Ile Pro Val Ile Glu Arg Leu Tyr Glu 305 310 315 320 Arg Gly Gly Val Glu Leu Pro Gln Arg Val Arg Asp Arg Phe Gln Arg 325 330 335 Tyr Leu Asp Gly Asn Pro Arg Gly Lys His Gly Arg Ile Arg Tyr Gln 340 345 350 Leu Gln Arg His Phe Gly Ile Ser Ala Asp Glu Leu Arg Ala Arg Phe 355 360 365 Gly Phe Tyr Phe Asp Lys Phe Asp Val Arg Pro Glu 370 375 380 11 1392 DNA Mycobacterium avium CDS (1)...(1392) 11 atg cct gga gcc gcg ccg ccg gca cag ctc ggt gac gaa ccg cgg cgt 48 Met Pro Gly Ala Ala Pro Pro Ala Gln Leu Gly Asp Glu Pro Arg Arg 1 5 10 15 gcg gcc gga cgc gga cgg acg ggt gcg cat cgc gat ctc cgc gcg gga 96 Ala Ala Gly Arg Gly Arg Thr Gly Ala His Arg Asp Leu Arg Ala Gly 20 25 30 ctt cgg gtt tgg cca ttg gct gga cac cgg cgg ccg gca tcg cgg ctt 144 Leu Arg Val Trp Pro Leu Ala Gly His Arg Arg Pro Ala Ser Arg Leu 35 40 45 cgt cgt gct gcg ctg gct gga caa ccc gag ccc gcc cga ggt cgc ggt 192 Arg Arg Ala Ala Leu Ala Gly Gln Pro Glu Pro Ala Arg Gly Arg Gly 50 55 60 gtc ggt gcg cga agc gcg gga gcg acc gtg agc ctg cag gac cgg ttc 240 Val Gly Ala Arg Ser Ala Gly Ala Thr Val Ser Leu Gln Asp Arg Phe 65 70 75 80 gcc ccg gaa cgg ctg atc gcc gcc gcc tgt gag gag gcc ggc agc gac 288 Ala Pro Glu Arg Leu Ile Ala Ala Ala Cys Glu Glu Ala Gly Ser Asp 85 90 95 gac ttc ggc gcc gag ggc tgg cgg ccc ggg ctg cac cgc ctc acc gac 336 Asp Phe Gly Ala Glu Gly Trp Arg Pro Gly Leu His Arg Leu Thr Asp 100 105 110 ggg ctg atc aac gac gcg cgg ctg tcc gac atc ggc gtc gag atc gct 384 Gly Leu Ile Asn Asp Ala Arg Leu Ser Asp Ile Gly Val Glu Ile Ala 115 120 125 cac ctg gac atc atg cgg gcg ctg aag aac cgg ctc aac gta atc gct 432 His Leu Asp Ile Met Arg Ala Leu Lys Asn Arg Leu Asn Val Ile Ala 130 135 140 tgg cgc aaa gca cat ccc gag gtg gcc gag cag aag atc agc gcc ccg 480 Trp Arg Lys Ala His Pro Glu Val Ala Glu Gln Lys Ile Ser Ala Pro 145 150 155 160 atc ttc atc gtc ggc cag ccg cgc acc ggg acg acg atc ctc tac gac 528 Ile Phe Ile Val Gly Gln Pro Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Ile Leu Tyr Asp 165 170 175 ctg ctc gcc cag gat ccc gcg ctg cgc gcg ccg ctc acc tgg gag gtc 576 Leu Leu Ala Gln Asp Pro Ala Leu Arg Ala Pro Leu Thr Trp Glu Val 180 185 190 gac gag ccc tgt ccg gtg ccg cgg ccc gag acc tat cac gac gat ccg 624 Asp Glu Pro Cys Pro Val Pro Arg Pro Glu Thr Tyr His Asp Asp Pro 195 200 205 cgc atc gcc cgg aca cag gcc ggc atc gac ctg tcc gag cag atc atg 672 Arg Ile Ala Arg Thr Gln Ala Gly Ile Asp Leu Ser Glu Gln Ile Met 210 215 220 ccc ggg ttc ctg gcc ttt cac ccg atg ggc gcg ctg gtc ggg cag gag 720 Pro Gly Phe Leu Ala Phe His Pro Met Gly Ala Leu Val Gly Gln Glu 225 230 235 240 tgt gtg cgc atc acc gcg gcc gag ttc gtc agc atg atc ttc tct gtg 768 Cys Val Arg Ile Thr Ala Ala Glu Phe Val Ser Met Ile Phe Ser Val 245 250 255 cag tac cgg ctg ccg aac tac tac cgc tgg ctg ctg tac gag gcg gac 816 Gln Tyr Arg Leu Pro Asn Tyr Tyr Arg Trp Leu Leu Tyr Glu Ala Asp 260 265 270 cac gcg ggc gcc tac cgc ttc cac cga att ttc ctg cag cac ttg cag 864 His Ala Gly Ala Tyr Arg Phe His Arg Ile Phe Leu Gln His Leu Gln 275 280 285 tcc ggc gtg ccc ggg cag tgg ttg ctg aaa tcc ccg gcg cac ctg tgg 912 Ser Gly Val Pro Gly Gln Trp Leu Leu Lys Ser Pro Ala His Leu Trp 290 295 300 cag ctg gat gcg ctg ctg gcc gag tac ccg gac gcg ctg atc gtg cag 960 Gln Leu Asp Ala Leu Leu Ala Glu Tyr Pro Asp Ala Leu Ile Val Gln 305 310 315 320 acc cac cgc gat ccg ctc aac gtc atc tcc tcc atc gcg gcg ctg acc 1008 Thr His Arg Asp Pro Leu Asn Val Ile Ser Ser Ile Ala Ala Leu Thr 325 330 335 cat cac ctg cgc ggg atg tgt agc gac gag tcc agc atc acc gag tgc 1056 His His Leu Arg Gly Met Cys Ser Asp Glu Ser Ser Ile Thr Glu Cys 340 345 350 gcg gcg cag tcc tac gag gag atc gtc gtg ggc ctg gac cgc gag atg 1104 Ala Ala Gln Ser Tyr Glu Glu Ile Val Val Gly Leu Asp Arg Glu Met 355 360 365 gcc ctg cgc gac cgg ggc gcc gtg ccg ccc ggg cgc gtg atc gac gtg 1152 Ala Leu Arg Asp Arg Gly Ala Val Pro Pro Gly Arg Val Ile Asp Val 370 375 380 cgg tac gcc gat ttc atg aag gac ccg tgg acc acg atc aaa gac atc 1200 Arg Tyr Ala Asp Phe Met Lys Asp Pro Trp Thr Thr Ile Lys Asp Ile 385 390 395 400 tat gag cgg ctg gac cgc gag ctg cgg ccc gat gcc gag cag aga atg 1248 Tyr Glu Arg Leu Asp Arg Glu Leu Arg Pro Asp Ala Glu Gln Arg Met 405 410 415 cgc gaa ttc ctc gcg tcg cat ccc tcc gac ggt ggg cgc agc cgc tac 1296 Arg Glu Phe Leu Ala Ser His Pro Ser Asp Gly Gly Arg Ser Arg Tyr 420 425 430 acc tgg tcg gac acc ggg ctg gac gcc ggt gcg gtg cgt gag cgg gtg 1344 Thr Trp Ser Asp Thr Gly Leu Asp Ala Gly Ala Val Arg Glu Arg Val 435 440 445 cgc gcc tat cag gac cgc tac ggg gta ccc acc gag gcg ttg cgc tga 1392 Arg Ala Tyr Gln Asp Arg Tyr Gly Val Pro Thr Glu Ala Leu Arg * 450 455 460 12 462 PRT Mycobacterium avium 12 Pro Gly Ala Ala Pro Pro Ala Gln Leu Gly Asp Glu Pro Arg Arg Ala 1 5 10 15 Ala Gly Arg Gly Arg Thr Gly Ala His Arg Asp Leu Arg Ala Gly Leu 20 25 30 Arg Val Trp Pro Leu Ala Gly His Arg Arg Pro Ala Ser Arg Leu Arg 35 40 45 Arg Ala Ala Leu Ala Gly Gln Pro Glu Pro Ala Arg Gly Arg Gly Val 50 55 60 Gly Ala Arg Ser Ala Gly Ala Thr Val Ser Leu Gln Asp Arg Phe Ala 65 70 75 80 Pro Glu Arg Leu Ile Ala Ala Ala Cys Glu Glu Ala Gly Ser Asp Asp 85 90 95 Phe Gly Ala Glu Gly Trp Arg Pro Gly Leu His Arg Leu Thr Asp Gly 100 105 110 Leu Ile Asn Asp Ala Arg Leu Ser Asp Ile Gly Val Glu Ile Ala His 115 120 125 Leu Asp Ile Met Arg Ala Leu Lys Asn Arg Leu Asn Val Ile Ala Trp 130 135 140 Arg Lys Ala His Pro Glu Val Ala Glu Gln Lys Ile Ser Ala Pro Ile 145 150 155 160 Phe Ile Val Gly Gln Pro Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Ile Leu Tyr Asp Leu 165 170 175 Leu Ala Gln Asp Pro Ala Leu Arg Ala Pro Leu Thr Trp Glu Val Asp 180 185 190 Glu Pro Cys Pro Val Pro Arg Pro Glu Thr Tyr His Asp Asp Pro Arg 195 200 205 Ile Ala Arg Thr Gln Ala Gly Ile Asp Leu Ser Glu Gln Ile Met Pro 210 215 220 Gly Phe Leu Ala Phe His Pro Met Gly Ala Leu Val Gly Gln Glu Cys 225 230 235 240 Val Arg Ile Thr Ala Ala Glu Phe Val Ser Met Ile Phe Ser Val Gln 245 250 255 Tyr Arg Leu Pro Asn Tyr Tyr Arg Trp Leu Leu Tyr Glu Ala Asp His 260 265 270 Ala Gly Ala Tyr Arg Phe His Arg Ile Phe Leu Gln His Leu Gln Ser 275 280 285 Gly Val Pro Gly Gln Trp Leu Leu Lys Ser Pro Ala His Leu Trp Gln 290 295 300 Leu Asp Ala Leu Leu Ala Glu Tyr Pro Asp Ala Leu Ile Val Gln Thr 305 310 315 320 His Arg Asp Pro Leu Asn Val Ile Ser Ser Ile Ala Ala Leu Thr His 325 330 335 His Leu Arg Gly Met Cys Ser Asp Glu Ser Ser Ile Thr Glu Cys Ala 340 345 350 Ala Gln Ser Tyr Glu Glu Ile Val Val Gly Leu Asp Arg Glu Met Ala 355 360 365 Leu Arg Asp Arg Gly Ala Val Pro Pro Gly Arg Val Ile Asp Val Arg 370 375 380 Tyr Ala Asp Phe Met Lys Asp Pro Trp Thr Thr Ile Lys Asp Ile Tyr 385 390 395 400 Glu Arg Leu Asp Arg Glu Leu Arg Pro Asp Ala Glu Gln Arg Met Arg 405 410 415 Glu Phe Leu Ala Ser His Pro Ser Asp Gly Gly Arg Ser Arg Tyr Thr 420 425 430 Trp Ser Asp Thr Gly Leu Asp Ala Gly Ala Val Arg Glu Arg Val Arg 435 440 445 Ala Tyr Gln Asp Arg Tyr Gly Val Pro Thr Glu Ala Leu Arg 450 455 460 13 139 PRT Mycobacterium bovis 13 Ile Lys Arg Pro Ile Phe Val Thr Gly Leu Val Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu His Arg Leu Leu Gly Ala Asp Pro Ala His Gln Gly Leu His 20 25 30 Met Trp Leu Ala Glu Tyr Pro Gln Pro Arg Pro Pro Arg Glu Thr Trp 35 40 45 Glu Ser Asn Pro Leu Tyr Arg Gln Leu Asp Ala Gln Phe Thr Gln His 50 55 60 His Ala Glu Asn Pro Gly Tyr Thr Gly Leu His Phe Met Ala Ala Tyr 65 70 75 80 Glu Leu Glu Glu Cys Trp Gln Leu Leu Arg Gln Ser Leu His Ser Val 85 90 95 Ser Tyr Glu Ala Leu Ala His Val Pro Ser Tyr Ala Asp Trp Leu Ser 100 105 110 Arg Gln Asp Trp Thr Pro Ser Tyr Cys Arg His Arg Arg Asn Leu Gln 115 120 125 Leu Ile Gly Leu Asn Asp Ala Glu Lys Arg Trp 130 135 14 1155 DNA Mycobacterium tuberculosis CDS (1)...(1155) 14 atg act cgg cgt ccc gat cgg aaa gat gtg gcc acc gtc gac gaa ctg 48 Met Thr Arg Arg Pro Asp Arg Lys Asp Val Ala Thr Val Asp Glu Leu 1 5 10 15 cac gca tcg gct acc aaa ctg gtg ggt ctc gac gat ttt ggc acc gac 96 His Ala Ser Ala Thr Lys Leu Val Gly Leu Asp Asp Phe Gly Thr Asp 20 25 30 gac gac aac tac cgt gag gcg ctg ggt gtg ttg ctg gac gct tac cag 144 Asp Asp Asn Tyr Arg Glu Ala Leu Gly Val Leu Leu Asp Ala Tyr Gln 35 40 45 ggc gaa gcc ggc ctc acc gtg ttg ggc agc aag atg aac cgg ttc ttc 192 Gly Glu Ala Gly Leu Thr Val Leu Gly Ser Lys Met Asn Arg Phe Phe 50 55 60 ctg cgc ggt gcg ctg gtg gcc agg cta ctg tcc cag tcc gcg tgg aag 240 Leu Arg Gly Ala Leu Val Ala Arg Leu Leu Ser Gln Ser Ala Trp Lys 65 70 75 80 cag tat ccg gag cac gtc gac gtt gcc atc aaa cgg cct atc ttc gtc 288 Gln Tyr Pro Glu His Val Asp Val Ala Ile Lys Arg Pro Ile Phe Val 85 90 95 acc ggg ttg gtg cgc acc gga acc act gcg ctg cac cgg ctg ctg ggc 336 Thr Gly Leu Val Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Ala Leu His Arg Leu Leu Gly 100 105 110 gcc gac ccg gcc cac caa ggc ctg cac atg tgg ctg gcc gag tac ccg 384 Ala Asp Pro Ala His Gln Gly Leu His Met Trp Leu Ala Glu Tyr Pro 115 120 125 cag ccg cgc ccc ccg cgc gag acc tgg gag tca aac ccg ttg tat cgc 432 Gln Pro Arg Pro Pro Arg Glu Thr Trp Glu Ser Asn Pro Leu Tyr Arg 130 135 140 cag ctc gat gca cag ttc acc cag cat cat gcc gag aat ccg gga tac 480 Gln Leu Asp Ala Gln Phe Thr Gln His His Ala Glu Asn Pro Gly Tyr 145 150 155 160 acc ggc ttg cat ttc atg gcg gcc tac gag ttg gag gag tgt tgg cag 528 Thr Gly Leu His Phe Met Ala Ala Tyr Glu Leu Glu Glu Cys Trp Gln 165 170 175 ctg ttg cgg cag tcg ctg cat tcg gtg tcg tac gag gcg ctg gcg cat 576 Leu Leu Arg Gln Ser Leu His Ser Val Ser Tyr Glu Ala Leu Ala His 180 185 190 gta ccc agc tat gcc gac tgg ttg tca cgc cag gac tgg acg ccg tcg 624 Val Pro Ser Tyr Ala Asp Trp Leu Ser Arg Gln Asp Trp Thr Pro Ser 195 200 205 tat tgc cgg cac cgc cgc aac ctg cag ctg att ggg ctc aac gat gcc 672 Tyr Cys Arg His Arg Arg Asn Leu Gln Leu Ile Gly Leu Asn Asp Ala 210 215 220 gaa aag cgg tgg gta cta aag aat ccg agt cat cta ttt gcc ctg gat 720 Glu Lys Arg Trp Val Leu Lys Asn Pro Ser His Leu Phe Ala Leu Asp 225 230 235 240 gcg ctg atg gcg acc tat ccc gat gcc ctg gtg gtg cag act cac cgg 768 Ala Leu Met Ala Thr Tyr Pro Asp Ala Leu Val Val Gln Thr His Arg 245 250 255 ccg gtg gag acg atc atg gcg tcg atg tgc tcg ctg gcg cag cac acc 816 Pro Val Glu Thr Ile Met Ala Ser Met Cys Ser Leu Ala Gln His Thr 260 265 270 aca gaa ggg tgg tcg acg aag ttt gtg ggc gcc cag atc ggt gcg gac 864 Thr Glu Gly Trp Ser Thr Lys Phe Val Gly Ala Gln Ile Gly Ala Asp 275 280 285 gcg atg gac acc tgg tcg cgt ggg ctg gag cgg ttc aat gcc gca cgg 912 Ala Met Asp Thr Trp Ser Arg Gly Leu Glu Arg Phe Asn Ala Ala Arg 290 295 300 gcc aaa tat gat tcg gcc cag ttc tac gac gtg gac tac cac gac ttg 960 Ala Lys Tyr Asp Ser Ala Gln Phe Tyr Asp Val Asp Tyr His Asp Leu 305 310 315 320 att gcc gat ccg ctg ggt acg gtg gca gat atc tac cgg cac ttc ggg 1008 Ile Ala Asp Pro Leu Gly Thr Val Ala Asp Ile Tyr Arg His Phe Gly 325 330 335 ttg acg ctg tcc gac gag gct cga cag gca atg aca acc gtc cac gcc 1056 Leu Thr Leu Ser Asp Glu Ala Arg Gln Ala Met Thr Thr Val His Ala 340 345 350 gag agc cag agc ggt gcc cgg gcc cca aag cat tcc tat tcg ttg gct 1104 Glu Ser Gln Ser Gly Ala Arg Ala Pro Lys His Ser Tyr Ser Leu Ala 355 360 365 gac tac ggg ctc acg gtc gaa atg gtc aaa gag cgg ttc gcc ggg ctg 1152 Asp Tyr Gly Leu Thr Val Glu Met Val Lys Glu Arg Phe Ala Gly Leu 370 375 380 tga 1155 * 15 383 PRT Mycobacterium tuberculosis 15 Thr Arg Arg Pro Asp Arg Lys Asp Val Ala Thr Val Asp Glu Leu His 1 5 10 15 Ala Ser Ala Thr Lys Leu Val Gly Leu Asp Asp Phe Gly Thr Asp Asp 20 25 30 Asp Asn Tyr Arg Glu Ala Leu Gly Val Leu Leu Asp Ala Tyr Gln Gly 35 40 45 Glu Ala Gly Leu Thr Val Leu Gly Ser Lys Met Asn Arg Phe Phe Leu 50 55 60 Arg Gly Ala Leu Val Ala Arg Leu Leu Ser Gln Ser Ala Trp Lys Gln 65 70 75 80 Tyr Pro Glu His Val Asp Val Ala Ile Lys Arg Pro Ile Phe Val Thr 85 90 95 Gly Leu Val Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Ala Leu His Arg Leu Leu Gly Ala 100 105 110 Asp Pro Ala His Gln Gly Leu His Met Trp Leu Ala Glu Tyr Pro Gln 115 120 125 Pro Arg Pro Pro Arg Glu Thr Trp Glu Ser Asn Pro Leu Tyr Arg Gln 130 135 140 Leu Asp Ala Gln Phe Thr Gln His His Ala Glu Asn Pro Gly Tyr Thr 145 150 155 160 Gly Leu His Phe Met Ala Ala Tyr Glu Leu Glu Glu Cys Trp Gln Leu 165 170 175 Leu Arg Gln Ser Leu His Ser Val Ser Tyr Glu Ala Leu Ala His Val 180 185 190 Pro Ser Tyr Ala Asp Trp Leu Ser Arg Gln Asp Trp Thr Pro Ser Tyr 195 200 205 Cys Arg His Arg Arg Asn Leu Gln Leu Ile Gly Leu Asn Asp Ala Glu 210 215 220 Lys Arg Trp Val Leu Lys Asn Pro Ser His Leu Phe Ala Leu Asp Ala 225 230 235 240 Leu Met Ala Thr Tyr Pro Asp Ala Leu Val Val Gln Thr His Arg Pro 245 250 255 Val Glu Thr Ile Met Ala Ser Met Cys Ser Leu Ala Gln His Thr Thr 260 265 270 Glu Gly Trp Ser Thr Lys Phe Val Gly Ala Gln Ile Gly Ala Asp Ala 275 280 285 Met Asp Thr Trp Ser Arg Gly Leu Glu Arg Phe Asn Ala Ala Arg Ala 290 295 300 Lys Tyr Asp Ser Ala Gln Phe Tyr Asp Val Asp Tyr His Asp Leu Ile 305 310 315 320 Ala Asp Pro Leu Gly Thr Val Ala Asp Ile Tyr Arg His Phe Gly Leu 325 330 335 Thr Leu Ser Asp Glu Ala Arg Gln Ala Met Thr Thr Val His Ala Glu 340 345 350 Ser Gln Ser Gly Ala Arg Ala Pro Lys His Ser Tyr Ser Leu Ala Asp 355 360 365 Tyr Gly Leu Thr Val Glu Met Val Lys Glu Arg Phe Ala Gly Leu 370 375 380 16 978 DNA Mycobacterium avium CDS (1)...(978) 16 atg aat cgc ttc ttt ctg cgc ggc gcc ctg gtg gcg cgc ctg ctg tcg 48 Met Asn Arg Phe Phe Leu Arg Gly Ala Leu Val Ala Arg Leu Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 gag tcg gcc tgg aag caa tac ccg cag tac gcc gac gtc gcg atc caa 96 Glu Ser Ala Trp Lys Gln Tyr Pro Gln Tyr Ala Asp Val Ala Ile Gln 20 25 30 cgg ccg atc ttc gtc acc ggc ctg gtg cgc acc ggg acc acg gcg ctg 144 Arg Pro Ile Phe Val Thr Gly Leu Val Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Ala Leu 35 40 45 cac cgg ctg ctg ggc gcc gat ccc gcg cat cag ggc ctg cac atg tgg 192 His Arg Leu Leu Gly Ala Asp Pro Ala His Gln Gly Leu His Met Trp 50 55 60 ctg gcc gaa ttc ccg cag ccg cgg ccg ccg cgc gag acc tgg gag tcc 240 Leu Ala Glu Phe Pro Gln Pro Arg Pro Pro Arg Glu Thr Trp Glu Ser 65 70 75 80 aac ccg ctg tac cgc cag ctc gac gcg caa ttc acc cag cac cac cgg 288 Asn Pro Leu Tyr Arg Gln Leu Asp Ala Gln Phe Thr Gln His His Arg 85 90 95 gac aac ccc ggc tac acc ggg ctg cac ttc atg gcc gcc tac gag ctg 336 Asp Asn Pro Gly Tyr Thr Gly Leu His Phe Met Ala Ala Tyr Glu Leu 100 105 110 gag gag tgc tgg cag ctg ctg cgg cag tcg ctg cac tcg gtg tcg tat 384 Glu Glu Cys Trp Gln Leu Leu Arg Gln Ser Leu His Ser Val Ser Tyr 115 120 125 gaa acg ctg gcg cac gtc ccc agt tac gcg cag tgg ctg tcc gaa cag 432 Glu Thr Leu Ala His Val Pro Ser Tyr Ala Gln Trp Leu Ser Glu Gln 130 135 140 gac tgg acg ccg tcg tat cag cgg cac cgc cgc aac ctt cag ctg atc 480 Asp Trp Thr Pro Ser Tyr Gln Arg His Arg Arg Asn Leu Gln Leu Ile 145 150 155 160 ggg ctc aac gac gcc gat aag cgc tgg gtg ctg aag aac ccc agc cac 528 Gly Leu Asn Asp Ala Asp Lys Arg Trp Val Leu Lys Asn Pro Ser His 165 170 175 ctg ttc gcg ctg gac gcg ttg atg gcc acc tac ccg gat gcg ctg gtg 576 Leu Phe Ala Leu Asp Ala Leu Met Ala Thr Tyr Pro Asp Ala Leu Val 180 185 190 atc cag act cat cgc ccg gtc gaa acg atc atg gcg tcg atg tgc tcg 624 Ile Gln Thr His Arg Pro Val Glu Thr Ile Met Ala Ser Met Cys Ser 195 200 205 ctg gcc cag cac acc gcc gaa gga tgg tcg acc acg ttc gtc ggg gcc 672 Leu Ala Gln His Thr Ala Glu Gly Trp Ser Thr Thr Phe Val Gly Ala 210 215 220 caa atc ggc gct gac gca atg gat acc tgg tcg cgg ggg ctg gag cgg 720 Gln Ile Gly Ala Asp Ala Met Asp Thr Trp Ser Arg Gly Leu Glu Arg 225 230 235 240 ttc aac acc gca cgg gcc aag tac aac ccg gcg cag ttc tac gac gtc 768 Phe Asn Thr Ala Arg Ala Lys Tyr Asn Pro Ala Gln Phe Tyr Asp Val 245 250 255 gac tac aag gag ttg atc gcc gac ccg ctg ggc acc gtg gcc gac atc 816 Asp Tyr Lys Glu Leu Ile Ala Asp Pro Leu Gly Thr Val Ala Asp Ile 260 265 270 tac cgg cac ttc ggc ctg acg ctg acg gag gag gcg aag gcg gcc atg 864 Tyr Arg His Phe Gly Leu Thr Leu Thr Glu Glu Ala Lys Ala Ala Met 275 280 285 gcc aag acc cac gcc gac agc cag tcc ggc gag cgg gcg ccc aag cac 912 Ala Lys Thr His Ala Asp Ser Gln Ser Gly Glu Arg Ala Pro Lys His 290 295 300 agc tac tcg ctg gcc gac tac ggc ctc agc gtg gag acg gtc aag gag 960 Ser Tyr Ser Leu Ala Asp Tyr Gly Leu Ser Val Glu Thr Val Lys Glu 305 310 315 320 cgg ttc gcc ggg ctg tga 978 Arg Phe Ala Gly Leu * 325 17 324 PRT Mycobacterium avium 17 Asn Arg Phe Phe Leu Arg Gly Ala Leu Val Ala Arg Leu Leu Ser Glu 1 5 10 15 Ser Ala Trp Lys Gln Tyr Pro Gln Tyr Ala Asp Val Ala Ile Gln Arg 20 25 30 Pro Ile Phe Val Thr Gly Leu Val Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Ala Leu His 35 40 45 Arg Leu Leu Gly Ala Asp Pro Ala His Gln Gly Leu His Met Trp Leu 50 55 60 Ala Glu Phe Pro Gln Pro Arg Pro Pro Arg Glu Thr Trp Glu Ser Asn 65 70 75 80 Pro Leu Tyr Arg Gln Leu Asp Ala Gln Phe Thr Gln His His Arg Asp 85 90 95 Asn Pro Gly Tyr Thr Gly Leu His Phe Met Ala Ala Tyr Glu Leu Glu 100 105 110 Glu Cys Trp Gln Leu Leu Arg Gln Ser Leu His Ser Val Ser Tyr Glu 115 120 125 Thr Leu Ala His Val Pro Ser Tyr Ala Gln Trp Leu Ser Glu Gln Asp 130 135 140 Trp Thr Pro Ser Tyr Gln Arg His Arg Arg Asn Leu Gln Leu Ile Gly 145 150 155 160 Leu Asn Asp Ala Asp Lys Arg Trp Val Leu Lys Asn Pro Ser His Leu 165 170 175 Phe Ala Leu Asp Ala Leu Met Ala Thr Tyr Pro Asp Ala Leu Val Ile 180 185 190 Gln Thr His Arg Pro Val Glu Thr Ile Met Ala Ser Met Cys Ser Leu 195 200 205 Ala Gln His Thr Ala Glu Gly Trp Ser Thr Thr Phe Val Gly Ala Gln 210 215 220 Ile Gly Ala Asp Ala Met Asp Thr Trp Ser Arg Gly Leu Glu Arg Phe 225 230 235 240 Asn Thr Ala Arg Ala Lys Tyr Asn Pro Ala Gln Phe Tyr Asp Val Asp 245 250 255 Tyr Lys Glu Leu Ile Ala Asp Pro Leu Gly Thr Val Ala Asp Ile Tyr 260 265 270 Arg His Phe Gly Leu Thr Leu Thr Glu Glu Ala Lys Ala Ala Met Ala 275 280 285 Lys Thr His Ala Asp Ser Gln Ser Gly Glu Arg Ala Pro Lys His Ser 290 295 300 Tyr Ser Leu Ala Asp Tyr Gly Leu Ser Val Glu Thr Val Lys Glu Arg 305 310 315 320 Phe Ala Gly Leu 18 139 PRT Mycobacterium 18 Ile Gln Arg Pro Ile Phe Val Thr Gly Leu Val Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu His Arg Leu Leu Gly Ala Asp Pro Ala His Gln Gly Leu His 20 25 30 Met Trp Leu Ala Glu Phe Pro Gln Pro Arg Pro Pro Arg Glu Thr Trp 35 40 45 Glu Ser Asn Pro Leu Tyr Arg Gln Leu Asp Ala Gln Phe Thr Gln His 50 55 60 His Arg Asp Asn Pro Gly Tyr Thr Gly Leu His Phe Met Ala Ala Tyr 65 70 75 80 Glu Leu Glu Glu Cys Trp Gln Leu Leu Arg Gln Ser Leu His Ser Val 85 90 95 Ser Tyr Glu Thr Leu Ala His Val Pro Ser Tyr Ala Gln Trp Leu Ser 100 105 110 Glu Gln Asp Trp Thr Pro Ser Tyr Gln Arg His Arg Arg Asn Leu Gln 115 120 125 Leu Ile Gly Leu Asn Asp Ala Asp Lys Arg Trp 130 135 19 136 PRT Mycobacterium bovis 19 Ala Asp Pro Pro Ile Phe Ile Val Gly His Trp Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu His Glu Leu Leu Val Val Asp Asp Arg His Thr Gly Pro Thr 20 25 30 Gly Tyr Glu Cys Leu Ala Pro His His Phe Leu Leu Thr Glu Trp Phe 35 40 45 Ala Pro Tyr Val Glu Phe Leu Val Ser Lys His Arg Ala Met Asp Asn 50 55 60 Met Asp Leu Ser Leu His His Pro Gln Glu Asp Glu Phe Val Trp Cys 65 70 75 80 Met Gln Gly Leu Pro Ser Pro Tyr Leu Thr Ile Ala Phe Pro Asn Arg 85 90 95 Pro Pro Gln Tyr Glu Glu Tyr Leu Asp Leu Glu Gln Val Ala Pro Arg 100 105 110 Glu Leu Glu Ile Trp Lys Arg Thr Leu Phe Arg Phe Val Gln Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Phe Arg Arg Arg Lys Thr Val 130 135 20 1164 DNA Mycobacterium tuberculosis CDS (1)...(1164) 20 atg aag gct ctc cgt tcg tcg tct cga ctt tcc cgg tgg cgc gag tgg 48 Met Lys Ala Leu Arg Ser Ser Ser Arg Leu Ser Arg Trp Arg Glu Trp 1 5 10 15 gcc gca ccg ctg tgg gtc ggc tgc aac ttc tcg gcc tgg atg cgg ctt 96 Ala Ala Pro Leu Trp Val Gly Cys Asn Phe Ser Ala Trp Met Arg Leu 20 25 30 ttg atc cgt aac cgc ttc gcc gtg cat cac agc cgc tgg cac ttc gcg 144 Leu Ile Arg Asn Arg Phe Ala Val His His Ser Arg Trp His Phe Ala 35 40 45 gtc ctc tat acg ttt ctc agc atg gtc aat tcc tgt ctg ggg ttg tgg 192 Val Leu Tyr Thr Phe Leu Ser Met Val Asn Ser Cys Leu Gly Leu Trp 50 55 60 cag aag atc gtt ttc ggt agg cga gtg gcc gaa acg gtg atc gcc gat 240 Gln Lys Ile Val Phe Gly Arg Arg Val Ala Glu Thr Val Ile Ala Asp 65 70 75 80 ccg cca atc ttc att gtt ggg cat tgg cgt acc ggc acc acc ttg ctg 288 Pro Pro Ile Phe Ile Val Gly His Trp Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Leu Leu 85 90 95 cat gaa ctg ttg gtc gtc gat gat cgc cac acc ggt ccc acc ggc tac 336 His Glu Leu Leu Val Val Asp Asp Arg His Thr Gly Pro Thr Gly Tyr 100 105 110 gaa tgc ctt gcg cca cac cat ttt cta ctg acc gag tgg ttt gcg cca 384 Glu Cys Leu Ala Pro His His Phe Leu Leu Thr Glu Trp Phe Ala Pro 115 120 125 tat gtg gaa ttc ctg gta tcg aag cat cgg gca atg gac aac atg gat 432 Tyr Val Glu Phe Leu Val Ser Lys His Arg Ala Met Asp Asn Met Asp 130 135 140 ttg agc ttg cat cac ccg cag gaa gac gag ttc gtg tgg tgt atg cag 480 Leu Ser Leu His His Pro Gln Glu Asp Glu Phe Val Trp Cys Met Gln 145 150 155 160 ggc ctg ccg tcg ccg tat ctg acc atc gca ttc ccg aac cgg ccg ccc 528 Gly Leu Pro Ser Pro Tyr Leu Thr Ile Ala Phe Pro Asn Arg Pro Pro 165 170 175 cag tat gag gag tac ctg gat cta gag cag gtg gca ccg cga gaa cta 576 Gln Tyr Glu Glu Tyr Leu Asp Leu Glu Gln Val Ala Pro Arg Glu Leu 180 185 190 gaa atc tgg aaa cgg acc ctg ttc cgg ttc gtt cag cag gtg tac ttc 624 Glu Ile Trp Lys Arg Thr Leu Phe Arg Phe Val Gln Gln Val Tyr Phe 195 200 205 cgc cgt cgc aag acg gtg atc ctc aag aat cca acg cat agt ttt cga 672 Arg Arg Arg Lys Thr Val Ile Leu Lys Asn Pro Thr His Ser Phe Arg 210 215 220 atc aag gtg ctg ctg gag gta ttc ccg caa gcg aag ttc atc cac atc 720 Ile Lys Val Leu Leu Glu Val Phe Pro Gln Ala Lys Phe Ile His Ile 225 230 235 240 gtc cga gat ccc tat gtg gtc tat cca tca acc atc cat ctt cat aag 768 Val Arg Asp Pro Tyr Val Val Tyr Pro Ser Thr Ile His Leu His Lys 245 250 255 gcg ctg tac cgc ata cat ggc ttg caa caa ccg acg ttc gac ggg ttg 816 Ala Leu Tyr Arg Ile His Gly Leu Gln Gln Pro Thr Phe Asp Gly Leu 260 265 270 gac gac aag gtc gtg tcg acc tac gtc gac cta tac cga aag ttg gac 864 Asp Asp Lys Val Val Ser Thr Tyr Val Asp Leu Tyr Arg Lys Leu Asp 275 280 285 gaa ggc cga gaa ctc gtt gac ccc aca cgc ttt tac gaa ttg cgt tat 912 Glu Gly Arg Glu Leu Val Asp Pro Thr Arg Phe Tyr Glu Leu Arg Tyr 290 295 300 gag gat ttg atc ggt gat ccc gag gga cag ctg cgc cgg cta tac cag 960 Glu Asp Leu Ile Gly Asp Pro Glu Gly Gln Leu Arg Arg Leu Tyr Gln 305 310 315 320 cac ctg gga ctg ggc gac ttc gag tgt tac ctg ccg cgt ctg cgg caa 1008 His Leu Gly Leu Gly Asp Phe Glu Cys Tyr Leu Pro Arg Leu Arg Gln 325 330 335 tac cta gct gac cat gcg gac tac aaa acc aac agc tat caa ctg acc 1056 Tyr Leu Ala Asp His Ala Asp Tyr Lys Thr Asn Ser Tyr Gln Leu Thr 340 345 350 gtc gag cag cgt gcg att gtc gat gag cac tgg ggc gag atc atc gac 1104 Val Glu Gln Arg Ala Ile Val Asp Glu His Trp Gly Glu Ile Ile Asp 355 360 365 cgc tac ggc tac gat cgt cac aca cct gag ccg gca cgt ctt cgg cct 1152 Arg Tyr Gly Tyr Asp Arg His Thr Pro Glu Pro Ala Arg Leu Arg Pro 370 375 380 gcg gtt ggc ggc 1164 Ala Val Gly Gly 385 21 387 PRT Mycobacterium tuberculosis 21 Lys Ala Leu Arg Ser Ser Ser Arg Leu Ser Arg Trp Arg Glu Trp Ala 1 5 10 15 Ala Pro Leu Trp Val Gly Cys Asn Phe Ser Ala Trp Met Arg Leu Leu 20 25 30 Ile Arg Asn Arg Phe Ala Val His His Ser Arg Trp His Phe Ala Val 35 40 45 Leu Tyr Thr Phe Leu Ser Met Val Asn Ser Cys Leu Gly Leu Trp Gln 50 55 60 Lys Ile Val Phe Gly Arg Arg Val Ala Glu Thr Val Ile Ala Asp Pro 65 70 75 80 Pro Ile Phe Ile Val Gly His Trp Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Leu Leu His 85 90 95 Glu Leu Leu Val Val Asp Asp Arg His Thr Gly Pro Thr Gly Tyr Glu 100 105 110 Cys Leu Ala Pro His His Phe Leu Leu Thr Glu Trp Phe Ala Pro Tyr 115 120 125 Val Glu Phe Leu Val Ser Lys His Arg Ala Met Asp Asn Met Asp Leu 130 135 140 Ser Leu His His Pro Gln Glu Asp Glu Phe Val Trp Cys Met Gln Gly 145 150 155 160 Leu Pro Ser Pro Tyr Leu Thr Ile Ala Phe Pro Asn Arg Pro Pro Gln 165 170 175 Tyr Glu Glu Tyr Leu Asp Leu Glu Gln Val Ala Pro Arg Glu Leu Glu 180 185 190 Ile Trp Lys Arg Thr Leu Phe Arg Phe Val Gln Gln Val Tyr Phe Arg 195 200 205 Arg Arg Lys Thr Val Ile Leu Lys Asn Pro Thr His Ser Phe Arg Ile 210 215 220 Lys Val Leu Leu Glu Val Phe Pro Gln Ala Lys Phe Ile His Ile Val 225 230 235 240 Arg Asp Pro Tyr Val Val Tyr Pro Ser Thr Ile His Leu His Lys Ala 245 250 255 Leu Tyr Arg Ile His Gly Leu Gln Gln Pro Thr Phe Asp Gly Leu Asp 260 265 270 Asp Lys Val Val Ser Thr Tyr Val Asp Leu Tyr Arg Lys Leu Asp Glu 275 280 285 Gly Arg Glu Leu Val Asp Pro Thr Arg Phe Tyr Glu Leu Arg Tyr Glu 290 295 300 Asp Leu Ile Gly Asp Pro Glu Gly Gln Leu Arg Arg Leu Tyr Gln His 305 310 315 320 Leu Gly Leu Gly Asp Phe Glu Cys Tyr Leu Pro Arg Leu Arg Gln Tyr 325 330 335 Leu Ala Asp His Ala Asp Tyr Lys Thr Asn Ser Tyr Gln Leu Thr Val 340 345 350 Glu Gln Arg Ala Ile Val Asp Glu His Trp Gly Glu Ile Ile Asp Arg 355 360 365 Tyr Gly Tyr Asp Arg His Thr Pro Glu Pro Ala Arg Leu Arg Pro Ala 370 375 380 Val Gly Gly 385 22 1143 DNA Mycobacterium avium CDS (1)...(1143) 22 atg ctc gcg gcc gcc gag gcg gag acc ggg ctg cac gac tac ggc gat 48 Met Leu Ala Ala Ala Glu Ala Glu Thr Gly Leu His Asp Tyr Gly Asp 1 5 10 15 ccg acg ttg ccg caa cgc ttc acc gtc gcc gtc gaa cac ctg aac gcc 96 Pro Thr Leu Pro Gln Arg Phe Thr Val Ala Val Glu His Leu Asn Ala 20 25 30 ctg ggg ctg gac gcc gat ggc cgc ttc gaa gcc gcg cag gtg tgt cgc 144 Leu Gly Leu Asp Ala Asp Gly Arg Phe Glu Ala Ala Gln Val Cys Arg 35 40 45 tgg ctg ctg acc tcc cgc ctg gaa ctc atc gag gac cgc aac cgc tac 192 Trp Leu Leu Thr Ser Arg Leu Glu Leu Ile Glu Asp Arg Asn Arg Tyr 50 55 60 ccg atc ggg gcc gag gtg atc gac gcg ccg atg ttc gtc act ggt gaa 240 Pro Ile Gly Ala Glu Val Ile Asp Ala Pro Met Phe Val Thr Gly Glu 65 70 75 80 cct cgt tcg ggc aca acg ctt atg cac gcg ctg atg tcg gtc gac ccg 288 Pro Arg Ser Gly Thr Thr Leu Met His Ala Leu Met Ser Val Asp Pro 85 90 95 cac gcg cgg gcg ttg cgg ttc tgg gag gtg atg tac ccg tcg ccg ccg 336 His Ala Arg Ala Leu Arg Phe Trp Glu Val Met Tyr Pro Ser Pro Pro 100 105 110 ccg ggg ctg gcg ggg ccc gac gac gac cgc cgg gcg cgg gcg gac gcc 384 Pro Gly Leu Ala Gly Pro Asp Asp Asp Arg Arg Ala Arg Ala Asp Ala 115 120 125 gac tgg cgt gag atc aac gcg aag atg ccg aag tgg ctg cac agc cac 432 Asp Trp Arg Glu Ile Asn Ala Lys Met Pro Lys Trp Leu His Ser His 130 135 140 ccc tac aac gac atg ctg ggc gac ggc ctg ccc gaa gac gaa cgc acc 480 Pro Tyr Asn Asp Met Leu Gly Asp Gly Leu Pro Glu Asp Glu Arg Thr 145 150 155 160 tgg gcg ttc gac ttc cgg gtg atg acg ccc acc gcg tgg tgg cgg gtg 528 Trp Ala Phe Asp Phe Arg Val Met Thr Pro Thr Ala Trp Trp Arg Val 165 170 175 ccg atg cag tcg ctg gtc gcc ggc ctg ccc acc gac ccg gcc gcg cag 576 Pro Met Gln Ser Leu Val Ala Gly Leu Pro Thr Asp Pro Ala Ala Gln 180 185 190 tac cgg ctg cac aaa gcg atg ctg caa cag ctg caa tac aac agg ccg 624 Tyr Arg Leu His Lys Ala Met Leu Gln Gln Leu Gln Tyr Asn Arg Pro 195 200 205 cga aag tat tgg gtg ctg aag ggc ttt cat ggg ttt cga ctc aag gag 672 Arg Lys Tyr Trp Val Leu Lys Gly Phe His Gly Phe Arg Leu Lys Glu 210 215 220 ctg ttc gac acc tac ccc gat gcg cgg atg gtg tgg ctg cac cgc gac 720 Leu Phe Asp Thr Tyr Pro Asp Ala Arg Met Val Trp Leu His Arg Asp 225 230 235 240 ccc gtc cag gtc gcc gcg tcg cgc acc atg atg atg gcc gac atc gcc 768 Pro Val Gln Val Ala Ala Ser Arg Thr Met Met Met Ala Asp Ile Ala 245 250 255 gag ggc atg gtc ggg ccg gtc gac ctg cac gca gag gcg aag aag cac 816 Glu Gly Met Val Gly Pro Val Asp Leu His Ala Glu Ala Lys Lys His 260 265 270 ctc gag atg acc cgg gcc agc atc gcc aac acg atg acc aat ccc ctg 864 Leu Glu Met Thr Arg Ala Ser Ile Ala Asn Thr Met Thr Asn Pro Leu 275 280 285 gtc gac gat ccg cgc atc ctg cac ctg agc tac acc gac ttc atc gcc 912 Val Asp Asp Pro Arg Ile Leu His Leu Ser Tyr Thr Asp Phe Ile Ala 290 295 300 gat cat gtt ggg gcc gtg cgg cgt tat tac gcg ttc tgc ggg cgc gag 960 Asp His Val Gly Ala Val Arg Arg Tyr Tyr Ala Phe Cys Gly Arg Glu 305 310 315 320 ctc acg gcc gag gcc gag tcg gcg atg cgg gcc tac ctg gcc gac aac 1008 Leu Thr Ala Glu Ala Glu Ser Ala Met Arg Ala Tyr Leu Ala Asp Asn 325 330 335 ccc ggc gac cgg tac gga aag ttc cgc tat tcc acg caa ttg ctg acc 1056 Pro Gly Asp Arg Tyr Gly Lys Phe Arg Tyr Ser Thr Gln Leu Leu Thr 340 345 350 gac atc ggt gag gac ctc gac gcg ctg cac gcc gaa ttc cgg ccg ttc 1104 Asp Ile Gly Glu Asp Leu Asp Ala Leu His Ala Glu Phe Arg Pro Phe 355 360 365 cgg gaa cgg ttc ggc gtc ccg atc gaa aac cgg ggc tga 1143 Arg Glu Arg Phe Gly Val Pro Ile Glu Asn Arg Gly * 370 375 380 23 379 PRT Mycobacterium avium 23 Leu Ala Ala Ala Glu Ala Glu Thr Gly Leu His Asp Tyr Gly Asp Pro 1 5 10 15 Thr Leu Pro Gln Arg Phe Thr Val Ala Val Glu His Leu Asn Ala Leu 20 25 30 Gly Leu Asp Ala Asp Gly Arg Phe Glu Ala Ala Gln Val Cys Arg Trp 35 40 45 Leu Leu Thr Ser Arg Leu Glu Leu Ile Glu Asp Arg Asn Arg Tyr Pro 50 55 60 Ile Gly Ala Glu Val Ile Asp Ala Pro Met Phe Val Thr Gly Glu Pro 65 70 75 80 Arg Ser Gly Thr Thr Leu Met His Ala Leu Met Ser Val Asp Pro His 85 90 95 Ala Arg Ala Leu Arg Phe Trp Glu Val Met Tyr Pro Ser Pro Pro Pro 100 105 110 Gly Leu Ala Gly Pro Asp Asp Asp Arg Arg Ala Arg Ala Asp Ala Asp 115 120 125 Trp Arg Glu Ile Asn Ala Lys Met Pro Lys Trp Leu His Ser His Pro 130 135 140 Tyr Asn Asp Met Leu Gly Asp Gly Leu Pro Glu Asp Glu Arg Thr Trp 145 150 155 160 Ala Phe Asp Phe Arg Val Met Thr Pro Thr Ala Trp Trp Arg Val Pro 165 170 175 Met Gln Ser Leu Val Ala Gly Leu Pro Thr Asp Pro Ala Ala Gln Tyr 180 185 190 Arg Leu His Lys Ala Met Leu Gln Gln Leu Gln Tyr Asn Arg Pro Arg 195 200 205 Lys Tyr Trp Val Leu Lys Gly Phe His Gly Phe Arg Leu Lys Glu Leu 210 215 220 Phe Asp Thr Tyr Pro Asp Ala Arg Met Val Trp Leu His Arg Asp Pro 225 230 235 240 Val Gln Val Ala Ala Ser Arg Thr Met Met Met Ala Asp Ile Ala Glu 245 250 255 Gly Met Val Gly Pro Val Asp Leu His Ala Glu Ala Lys Lys His Leu 260 265 270 Glu Met Thr Arg Ala Ser Ile Ala Asn Thr Met Thr Asn Pro Leu Val 275 280 285 Asp Asp Pro Arg Ile Leu His Leu Ser Tyr Thr Asp Phe Ile Ala Asp 290 295 300 His Val Gly Ala Val Arg Arg Tyr Tyr Ala Phe Cys Gly Arg Glu Leu 305 310 315 320 Thr Ala Glu Ala Glu Ser Ala Met Arg Ala Tyr Leu Ala Asp Asn Pro 325 330 335 Gly Asp Arg Tyr Gly Lys Phe Arg Tyr Ser Thr Gln Leu Leu Thr Asp 340 345 350 Ile Gly Glu Asp Leu Asp Ala Leu His Ala Glu Phe Arg Pro Phe Arg 355 360 365 Glu Arg Phe Gly Val Pro Ile Glu Asn Arg Gly 370 375 24 978 DNA Mycobacterium tuberculosis CDS (1)...(978) 24 atg aat tca gaa cac ccg atg acc gac cgg gtt gtg tat cga tcg ttg 48 Met Asn Ser Glu His Pro Met Thr Asp Arg Val Val Tyr Arg Ser Leu 1 5 10 15 atg gcc gac aac ctg cga tgg gat gcc ctg caa ttg cgc gac ggc gac 96 Met Ala Asp Asn Leu Arg Trp Asp Ala Leu Gln Leu Arg Asp Gly Asp 20 25 30 atc att atc tcg gcg ccg tcc aag agc ggc ctg acc tgg aca cag cgc 144 Ile Ile Ile Ser Ala Pro Ser Lys Ser Gly Leu Thr Trp Thr Gln Arg 35 40 45 ctg gtg tcc ctg ctg gtg ttc gac ggg ccc gac ttg ccc gga ccc ttg 192 Leu Val Ser Leu Leu Val Phe Asp Gly Pro Asp Leu Pro Gly Pro Leu 50 55 60 tcg acg gtg tcc ccg tgg ctc gac cag acc att cgg ccc atc gag gaa 240 Ser Thr Val Ser Pro Trp Leu Asp Gln Thr Ile Arg Pro Ile Glu Glu 65 70 75 80 gtg gtc gct act ctc gat gcc cag cag cac cgc cgg ttc atc aag acc 288 Val Val Ala Thr Leu Asp Ala Gln Gln His Arg Arg Phe Ile Lys Thr 85 90 95 cac acg ccg ttg gac ggc ctg gtg ctc gac gac cgc gtc agc tac atc 336 His Thr Pro Leu Asp Gly Leu Val Leu Asp Asp Arg Val Ser Tyr Ile 100 105 110 tgc gta gga cgc gac ccg cgc gat gcc gcg gtg tca atg ctg tac caa 384 Cys Val Gly Arg Asp Pro Arg Asp Ala Ala Val Ser Met Leu Tyr Gln 115 120 125 tcg gcc aac atg aac gaa gac cgg atg cgg att ctg cac gag gcc gta 432 Ser Ala Asn Met Asn Glu Asp Arg Met Arg Ile Leu His Glu Ala Val 130 135 140 gtg ccg ttt cac gag cga atc gcc ccc ccg ttt gcg gaa ctc ggt cat 480 Val Pro Phe His Glu Arg Ile Ala Pro Pro Phe Ala Glu Leu Gly His 145 150 155 160 gcg cgc agc ccg acc gag gag ttc cgg gat tgg atg gag ggg ccg aat 528 Ala Arg Ser Pro Thr Glu Glu Phe Arg Asp Trp Met Glu Gly Pro Asn 165 170 175 cag cct ccc cct ggc ata ggt ttc aca cat ctg aag ggg atc ggc act 576 Gln Pro Pro Pro Gly Ile Gly Phe Thr His Leu Lys Gly Ile Gly Thr 180 185 190 ctg gcc aac atc ctg cac cag cta ggc acg gta tgg gtc cgc cgt cac 624 Leu Ala Asn Ile Leu His Gln Leu Gly Thr Val Trp Val Arg Arg His 195 200 205 cta ccc aac gtg gcc ttg ttt cat tac gcc gat tac cag gcg gac ttg 672 Leu Pro Asn Val Ala Leu Phe His Tyr Ala Asp Tyr Gln Ala Asp Leu 210 215 220 gcg ggc gag ctg ctc cgg ccg gca agg gtc ctc ggt atc gcc gcg acc 720 Ala Gly Glu Leu Leu Arg Pro Ala Arg Val Leu Gly Ile Ala Ala Thr 225 230 235 240 cgc gat cga gcc cgg gac ctg gcg cag tac gcc acg ctg gat gcg atg 768 Arg Asp Arg Ala Arg Asp Leu Ala Gln Tyr Ala Thr Leu Asp Ala Met 245 250 255 cgc tcc cgc gcg tca gaa atc gct cct aac acc acc gac ggc atc tgg 816 Arg Ser Arg Ala Ser Glu Ile Ala Pro Asn Thr Thr Asp Gly Ile Trp 260 265 270 cac agt gac gag cgt ttc ttc cgc cgg ggc ggg agt ggc gac tgg cag 864 His Ser Asp Glu Arg Phe Phe Arg Arg Gly Gly Ser Gly Asp Trp Gln 275 280 285 cag ttc ttc acc gaa gcc gag cac ctg cgc tac tac cac cgc atc aac 912 Gln Phe Phe Thr Glu Ala Glu His Leu Arg Tyr Tyr His Arg Ile Asn 290 295 300 cag ctg gcg cca cct gat ctg ctg gcc tgg gca cac gag ggc cgc cgg 960 Gln Leu Ala Pro Pro Asp Leu Leu Ala Trp Ala His Glu Gly Arg Arg 305 310 315 320 gga tac gac ccg gcc aac 978 Gly Tyr Asp Pro Ala Asn 325 25 325 PRT Mycobacterium tuberculosis 25 Asn Ser Glu His Pro Met Thr Asp Arg Val Val Tyr Arg Ser Leu Met 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Asn Leu Arg Trp Asp Ala Leu Gln Leu Arg Asp Gly Asp Ile 20 25 30 Ile Ile Ser Ala Pro Ser Lys Ser Gly Leu Thr Trp Thr Gln Arg Leu 35 40 45 Val Ser Leu Leu Val Phe Asp Gly Pro Asp Leu Pro Gly Pro Leu Ser 50 55 60 Thr Val Ser Pro Trp Leu Asp Gln Thr Ile Arg Pro Ile Glu Glu Val 65 70 75 80 Val Ala Thr Leu Asp Ala Gln Gln His Arg Arg Phe Ile Lys Thr His 85 90 95 Thr Pro Leu Asp Gly Leu Val Leu Asp Asp Arg Val Ser Tyr Ile Cys 100 105 110 Val Gly Arg Asp Pro Arg Asp Ala Ala Val Ser Met Leu Tyr Gln Ser 115 120 125 Ala Asn Met Asn Glu Asp Arg Met Arg Ile Leu His Glu Ala Val Val 130 135 140 Pro Phe His Glu Arg Ile Ala Pro Pro Phe Ala Glu Leu Gly His Ala 145 150 155 160 Arg Ser Pro Thr Glu Glu Phe Arg Asp Trp Met Glu Gly Pro Asn Gln 165 170 175 Pro Pro Pro Gly Ile Gly Phe Thr His Leu Lys Gly Ile Gly Thr Leu 180 185 190 Ala Asn Ile Leu His Gln Leu Gly Thr Val Trp Val Arg Arg His Leu 195 200 205 Pro Asn Val Ala Leu Phe His Tyr Ala Asp Tyr Gln Ala Asp Leu Ala 210 215 220 Gly Glu Leu Leu Arg Pro Ala Arg Val Leu Gly Ile Ala Ala Thr Arg 225 230 235 240 Asp Arg Ala Arg Asp Leu Ala Gln Tyr Ala Thr Leu Asp Ala Met Arg 245 250 255 Ser Arg Ala Ser Glu Ile Ala Pro Asn Thr Thr Asp Gly Ile Trp His 260 265 270 Ser Asp Glu Arg Phe Phe Arg Arg Gly Gly Ser Gly Asp Trp Gln Gln 275 280 285 Phe Phe Thr Glu Ala Glu His Leu Arg Tyr Tyr His Arg Ile Asn Gln 290 295 300 Leu Ala Pro Pro Asp Leu Leu Ala Trp Ala His Glu Gly Arg Arg Gly 305 310 315 320 Tyr Asp Pro Ala Asn 325 26 269 PRT consensus VARIANT (1)...(269) Xaa = Any Amino Acid 26 Leu Xaa Asp Phe Gly Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Tyr Xaa Xaa 1 5 10 15 Xaa Leu Xaa Val Ile Leu Xaa Xaa Leu Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Leu 20 25 30 Xaa Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Leu Xaa Xaa Xaa Leu 35 40 45 Xaa Xaa Arg Leu Xaa Leu Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Pro Xaa Xaa 50 55 60 Xaa Asp Xaa Xaa Xaa Ile Xaa Xaa Pro Ile Xaa Val Xaa Gly Leu Pro 65 70 75 80 Arg Thr Gly Thr Thr Xaa Leu Xaa Xaa Leu Leu Gly Xaa Asp Pro Xaa 85 90 95 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Leu Xaa Xaa Trp Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Pro Xaa Pro 100 105 110 Xaa Pro Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Pro Xaa Xaa 115 120 125 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Ala Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 130 135 140 Xaa Pro Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Leu Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 145 150 155 160 Xaa Xaa Xaa Glu Xaa Xaa Xaa Leu Leu Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Ser Val 165 170 175 Xaa Tyr Glu Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Val Pro Xaa Tyr Xaa Xaa Trp Xaa Xaa 180 185 190 Xaa Xaa Xaa Asp Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Tyr Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Arg Xaa Leu 195 200 205 Gln Xaa Ile Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Lys Xaa Trp Val Leu Lys Xaa 210 215 220 Pro Xaa His Xaa Phe Xaa Leu Xaa Xaa Leu Xaa Xaa Xaa Tyr Pro Asp 225 230 235 240 Ala Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Val Ile Thr His Arg Asp Pro Xaa Xaa Val 245 250 255 Met Xaa Ser Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Met Xaa Xaa Leu Xaa Xaa 260 265 27 254 PRT Mycobacterium tuberculosis 27 Met Ser Gly Glu Thr Thr Arg Leu Thr Glu Pro Gln Leu Arg Glu Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Ala Arg Gly Ala Ala Glu Leu Asp Gly Ala Thr Ala Thr Asp Met 20 25 30 Leu Arg Trp Thr Asp Glu Thr Phe Gly Asp Ile Gly Gly Ala Gly Gly 35 40 45 Gly Val Ser Gly His Arg Gly Trp Thr Thr Cys Asn Tyr Val Val Ala 50 55 60 Ser Asn Met Ala Asp Ala Val Leu Val Asp Leu Ala Ala Lys Val Arg 65 70 75 80 Pro Gly Val Pro Val Ile Phe Leu Asp Thr Gly Tyr His Phe Val Glu 85 90 95 Thr Ile Gly Thr Arg Asp Ala Ile Glu Ser Val Tyr Asp Val Arg Val 100 105 110 Leu Asn Val Thr Pro Glu His Thr Val Ala Glu Gln Asp Glu Leu Leu 115 120 125 Gly Lys Asp Leu Phe Ala Arg Asn Pro His Glu Cys Cys Arg Leu Arg 130 135 140 Lys Val Val Pro Leu Gly Lys Thr Leu Arg Gly Tyr Ser Ala Trp Val 145 150 155 160 Thr Gly Leu Arg Arg Val Asp Ala Pro Thr Arg Ala Asn Ala Pro Leu 165 170 175 Val Ser Phe Asp Glu Thr Phe Lys Leu Val Lys Val Asn Pro Leu Ala 180 185 190 Ala Trp Thr Asp Gln Asp Val Gln Glu Tyr Ile Ala Asp Asn Asp Val 195 200 205 Leu Val Asn Pro Leu Val Arg Glu Gly Tyr Pro Ser Ile Gly Cys Ala 210 215 220 Pro Cys Thr Ala Lys Pro Ala Glu Gly Ala Asp Pro Arg Ser Gly Arg 225 230 235 240 Trp Gln Gly Leu Ala Lys Thr Glu Cys Gly Leu His Ala Ser 245 250 28 236 PRT Mycobacterium smegmatis 28 Met Thr Asp Val Thr Thr Ser Thr Glu Asn Glu Leu Arg Glu Leu Ala 1 5 10 15 Glu Arg Gly Ala Ala Glu Leu Ala Asp Ala Ser Ala Glu Glu Leu Leu 20 25 30 Arg Trp Thr Asp Glu His Phe Gly Gly Asn Tyr Val Val Ala Ser Asn 35 40 45 Met Gln Asp Ala Val Leu Val Glu Met Ala Ala Lys Val Arg Pro Gly 50 55 60 Val Asp Val Leu Phe Leu Asp Thr Gly Tyr His Phe Ala Glu Thr Ile 65 70 75 80 Gly Thr Arg Asp Ala Val Glu Ala Val Tyr Asp Val His Val Val Asn 85 90 95 Val Thr Pro Glu Arg Thr Val Ala Glu Gln Asp Glu Leu Leu Gly Lys 100 105 110 Asn Leu Phe Ala Arg Asp Pro Gly Glu Cys Cys Arg Leu Arg Lys Val 115 120 125 Val Pro Leu Thr Asn Ala Leu Lys Gly Tyr Ser Ala Trp Val Thr Gly 130 135 140 Ile Arg Arg Val Glu Ala Pro Thr Arg Ala Asn Ala Pro Leu Ile Ser 145 150 155 160 Trp Asp Asn Ala Phe Gly Leu Val Lys Ile Asn Pro Ile Ala Ala Trp 165 170 175 Thr Asp Glu Asp Met Gln Asn Tyr Ile Asp Ala Asn Gly Ile Leu Val 180 185 190 Asn Pro Leu Val Tyr Glu Gly Tyr Pro Ser Ile Gly Cys Ala Pro Cys 195 200 205 Thr Ser Lys Pro Ile Pro Gly Ala Asp Pro Arg Ser Gly Arg Trp Ala 210 215 220 Gly Leu Ser Lys Thr Glu Cys Gly Leu His Val Ser 225 230 235 29 247 PRT Mycobacterium avium 29 Met Thr Glu Arg Thr Thr Lys Leu Pro Glu Ala Glu Leu Arg Glu Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Ala Arg Gly Ala Ala Glu Leu Glu Gly Ala Ser Ala Ser Asp Val 20 25 30 Leu Arg Trp Thr Asp Glu Thr Phe Gly Gly Val Asn Gly Pro Arg Gly 35 40 45 Trp Ala Thr Cys Asn Tyr Val Val Ala Ser Ser Met Gln Glu Ala Val 50 55 60 Leu Ile Asp Leu Ala Ala Lys Val Arg Pro Gly Val Pro Val Val Phe 65 70 75 80 Leu Asp Thr Gly Tyr His Phe Ala Glu Thr Ile Gly Thr Arg Asp Ala 85 90 95 Ile Glu Ser Val Tyr Asp Ile Arg Val Leu Asn Val Thr Pro Glu His 100 105 110 Ser Val Ala Glu Gln Asp Lys Leu Leu Gly Lys Asp Leu Phe Ala Arg 115 120 125 Asp Pro Gly Glu Cys Cys Arg Leu Arg Lys Val Ala Pro Leu Gly Lys 130 135 140 Thr Leu Arg Gly Tyr Ser Ala Trp Val Thr Gly Leu Arg Arg Ser Glu 145 150 155 160 Ala Ala Thr Arg Ala Asn Ala Pro Val Ile Gly Phe Asp Glu Gly Phe 165 170 175 Lys Leu Val Lys Val Asn Pro Met Ala Thr Trp Thr Asp Glu Asp Val 180 185 190 Gln Asn Tyr Ile Asp Glu His Asn Val Leu Val Asn Pro Leu Ile Tyr 195 200 205 Glu Gly Tyr Ser Ser Ile Gly Cys Ala Pro Cys Thr Ala Lys Pro Leu 210 215 220 Ala Gly Ala Asp Pro Arg Ser Gly Arg Trp Gln Gly Leu Ala Lys Thr 225 230 235 240 Glu Cys Gly Leu His Ala Ser 245 30 254 PRT consensus VARIANT (1)...(254) Xaa = Any Amino Acid 30 Met Ser Xaa Glu Thr Thr Arg Leu Thr Glu Xaa Glu Leu Arg Glu Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Ala Arg Gly Ala Ala Glu Leu Asp Gly Ala Ser Ala Thr Asp Met 20 25 30 Leu Arg Trp Thr Asp Glu Thr Phe Gly Xaa Ile Xaa Gly Xaa Xaa Xaa 35 40 45 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Gly Trp Xaa Thr Cys Asn Tyr Val Val Ala 50 55 60 Ser Asn Met Gln Asp Ala Val Leu Val Asp Leu Ala Ala Lys Val Arg 65 70 75 80 Pro Gly Val Pro Val Ile Phe Leu Asp Thr Gly Tyr His Phe Ala Glu 85 90 95 Thr Ile Gly Thr Arg Asp Ala Ile Glu Ser Val Tyr Asp Val Arg Val 100 105 110 Leu Asn Val Thr Pro Glu His Thr Val Ala Glu Gln Asp Glu Leu Leu 115 120 125 Gly Lys Asp Leu Phe Ala Arg Asp Pro Gly Glu Cys Cys Arg Leu Arg 130 135 140 Lys Val Val Pro Leu Gly Lys Thr Leu Arg Gly Tyr Ser Ala Trp Val 145 150 155 160 Thr Gly Leu Arg Arg Val Glu Ala Pro Thr Arg Ala Asn Ala Pro Leu 165 170 175 Ile Ser Phe Asp Glu Gly Phe Lys Leu Val Lys Val Asn Pro Leu Ala 180 185 190 Ala Trp Thr Asp Glu Asp Val Gln Asn Tyr Ile Asp Asp Asn Xaa Val 195 200 205 Leu Val Asn Pro Leu Val Tyr Glu Gly Tyr Pro Ser Ile Gly Cys Ala 210 215 220 Pro Cys Thr Ala Lys Pro Leu Xaa Gly Ala Asp Pro Arg Ser Gly Arg 225 230 235 240 Trp Gln Gly Leu Ala Lys Thr Glu Cys Gly Leu His Ala Ser 245 250 31 617 PRT Mycobacterium smegmatis 31 Met Ser Ala Asn Thr Thr Leu Leu Arg Leu Ala Thr Ala Gly Ser Val 1 5 10 15 Asp Asp Gly Lys Ser Thr Leu Ile Gly Arg Leu Leu Tyr Asp Ser Lys 20 25 30 Ala Val Met Glu Asp Gln Leu Ala Ala Val Glu Arg Thr Ser Lys Glu 35 40 45 Arg Gly His Asp Tyr Thr Asp Leu Ala Leu Val Thr Asp Gly Leu Arg 50 55 60 Ala Glu Arg Glu Gln Gly Ile Thr Ile Asp Val Ala Tyr Arg Tyr Phe 65 70 75 80 Ala Thr Ala Lys Arg Lys Phe Ile Ile Ala Asp Thr Pro Gly His Ile 85 90 95 Gln Tyr Thr Arg Asn Met Val Thr Gly Thr Ser Thr Ala Gln Leu Ala 100 105 110 Ile Val Leu Val Asp Ala Arg Asn Gly Leu Leu Glu Gln Ser Arg Arg 115 120 125 His Ala Phe Leu Ala Ser Leu Leu Gly Ile Arg His Ile Val Leu Ala 130 135 140 Val Asn Lys Met Asp Leu Ile Gly Trp Asp Gln Glu Arg Phe Glu Ala 145 150 155 160 Ile Arg Asp Glu Phe His Thr Phe Ala Ala Arg Leu Asp Val His Asp 165 170 175 Val Thr Ala Ile Pro Leu Ser Ala Leu Gln Gly Asp Asn Val Val Thr 180 185 190 Lys Ser Asp Lys Thr Pro Trp Tyr Glu Gly Pro Ala Leu Leu Ala His 195 200 205 Leu Glu Asp Val Tyr Ile Ala Gly Asp Arg Asn Leu Val Asp Val Arg 210 215 220 Phe Pro Val Gln Tyr Val Ile Arg Pro Gln Thr Leu Asp His Ala Asp 225 230 235 240 His Arg Ser Tyr Ala Gly Thr Val Ala Ser Gly Val Met Arg Pro Gly 245 250 255 Asp Glu Ile Val Val Leu Pro Ser Gly Lys Ser Ser Arg Ile Thr Glu 260 265 270 Ile Ala Gly Pro Gly Gly Pro Val Asp Glu Ala Phe Pro Pro Met Ala 275 280 285 Val Ser Ile Ser Leu Ala Asp Asp Ile Asp Ile Ser Arg Gly Asp Met 290 295 300 Ile Ala Arg Pro Gly Asn Gln Pro Arg Val Thr Gln Asp Phe Asp Ala 305 310 315 320 Thr Val Cys Trp Met Ala Asp Asp Ala Ser Leu Glu Pro Gly Arg Glu 325 330 335 Tyr Leu Ile Lys His Thr Thr Arg Thr Thr Arg Ala Lys Val Val Asp 340 345 350 Leu Asp Tyr Arg Leu Asp Val Asn Thr Leu His Arg Asp Lys Ser Ala 355 360 365 Thr Ala Leu Lys Leu Asn Glu Leu Gly Arg Ile Ser Leu Arg Thr Arg 370 375 380 Thr Pro Leu Leu Leu Asp Glu Tyr Ser Arg Asn Pro Ala Thr Gly Ser 385 390 395 400 Phe Ile Leu Ile Asp Pro His Thr Asn Gly Thr Val Gly Ala Gly Met 405 410 415 Val Leu Arg Asp Ala Arg Asn Glu Ser Ala Ser Pro Asn Thr Val Arg 420 425 430 His Glu Asn Leu Ile Thr Ala Glu Asp Arg Leu Thr Arg Gly Arg Thr 435 440 445 Val Trp Phe Thr Gly Leu Ser Gly Ser Gly Lys Ser Ser Val Ala Met 450 455 460 Leu Val Glu Gln Lys Leu Leu Gly Lys Gly Val Pro Ala Tyr Val Leu 465 470 475 480 Asp Gly Asp Asn Leu Arg His Gly Leu Asn Ala Asp Leu Gly Phe Ser 485 490 495 Met Ala Asp Arg Ala Glu Asn Leu Arg Arg Leu Ala His Val Ala Ser 500 505 510 Leu Leu Ala Asp Ser Gly Gln Ile Val Leu Val Pro Ala Ile Ser Pro 515 520 525 Leu Glu Glu His Arg Glu Leu Ala Arg Arg Val Ser Thr Glu Ser Gly 530 535 540 Val Glu Phe Phe Glu Val Phe Cys Asp Thr Pro Leu Ala Asp Cys Glu 545 550 555 560 Ala Arg Asp Pro Lys Gly Leu Tyr Ala Lys Ala Arg Ala Gly Glu Ile 565 570 575 Thr His Phe Thr Gly Ile Asp Ser Pro Tyr Gln Arg Pro Lys His Pro 580 585 590 Asp Leu Arg Leu Thr Pro Glu His Ser Leu Asp Glu Leu Ala Asp Met 595 600 605 Val Ile Glu Met Leu Glu Thr Arg Arg 610 615 32 616 PRT Mycobacterium avium 32 Met Ala Ala Pro Thr Thr Leu Leu Arg Leu Ala Thr Ala Gly Ser Val 1 5 10 15 Asp Asp Gly Lys Ser Thr Leu Ile Gly Arg Leu Leu Tyr Asp Ser Lys 20 25 30 Ala Val Met Glu Asp Gln Trp Ala Ala Val Glu Gln Thr Ser Lys Asp 35 40 45 Arg Gly His Asp Tyr Thr Asp Leu Ala Leu Val Thr Asp Gly Leu Arg 50 55 60 Ala Glu Arg Glu Gln Gly Ile Thr Ile Asp Val Ala Tyr Arg Tyr Phe 65 70 75 80 Ala Thr Pro Lys Arg Lys Phe Ile Ile Ala Asp Thr Pro Gly His Ile 85 90 95 Gln Tyr Thr Arg Asn Met Val Thr Gly Ala Ser Thr Ala Gln Leu Val 100 105 110 Ile Val Leu Val Asp Ala Arg His Gly Leu Leu Glu Gln Ser Arg Arg 115 120 125 His Ala Phe Leu Ala Ser Leu Leu Gly Ile Gln His Ile Val Leu Ala 130 135 140 Val Asn Lys Met Asp Leu Ile Gly Trp Asp Arg Glu Lys Phe Glu Ser 145 150 155 160 Ile Arg Asp Glu Phe His Ala Phe Ala Ala Arg Leu Asp Val His Asp 165 170 175 Val Ala Thr Ile Pro Ile Ser Ala Leu His Gly Asp Asn Val Val Thr 180 185 190 Lys Ser Asp Gln Thr Pro Trp Tyr Glu Gly Pro Ala Leu Leu Ser His 195 200 205 Leu Glu Glu Val Tyr Ile Ala Gly Asp Arg Asn Leu Val Asp Val Arg 210 215 220 Phe Pro Val Gln Tyr Val Ile Arg Pro His Thr His Glu His Gln Asp 225 230 235 240 His Arg Ser Tyr Ala Gly Thr Val Ala Ser Gly Val Met Arg Pro Gly 245 250 255 Asp Glu Val Val Val Leu Pro Val Gly Lys Arg Thr Arg Ile Thr Ala 260 265 270 Ile Glu Gly Pro Asn Gly Pro Val Gln Glu Ala Phe Pro Pro Met Ala 275 280 285 Val Ser Leu Thr Leu Ala Asp Glu Ile Asp Ile Ser Arg Gly Asp Leu 290 295 300 Ile Ala Arg Thr His Asn Gln Pro Arg Ile Ala Gln Asp Phe Asp Ala 305 310 315 320 Thr Val Cys Trp Met Ala Asp Asn Thr Thr Leu Glu Pro Gly Arg Asp 325 330 335 Tyr Val Ile Lys His Thr Thr Arg Thr Thr His Ala Arg Val Thr Gly 340 345 350 Leu Asp Tyr Arg Leu Asp Val Asn Thr Leu His Arg Asp Lys Thr Ala 355 360 365 Thr Ala Leu Lys Leu Asn Glu Leu Gly Arg Ile Ser Leu Arg Thr Gln 370 375 380 Val Pro Leu Leu Leu Asp Glu Tyr Thr Arg Asn Pro Ser Thr Gly Ser 385 390 395 400 Phe Ile Leu Ile Asp Pro His Thr Asn Gly Thr Val Ala Ala Gly Met 405 410 415 Val Leu Arg Asp Ala Ser Ala Gln Ala Ala Ser Pro Asn Thr Val Arg 420 425 430 His Lys Ser Ser Ala Ile Ala Ala Ala Arg Pro Arg Gly Lys Thr Val 435 440 445 Trp Phe Thr Gly Leu Ser Gly Ser Gly Lys Ser Ser Val Ala Met Leu 450 455 460 Val Glu Gln Lys Leu Leu Glu Lys Gly Ala Gln Ala Tyr Val Leu Asp 465 470 475 480 Gly Asp Asn Leu Arg His Gly Leu Asn Ala Asp Leu Gly Phe Ser Met 485 490 495 Ala Asp Arg Ala Glu Asn Leu Arg Arg Leu Ala His Val Ala Ala Leu 500 505 510 Leu Ala Asp Cys Gly Asn Val Val Leu Val Pro Ala Ile Ser Pro Leu 515 520 525 Ala Glu Gln Arg Glu Leu Ala Arg Lys Val His Ala Asp Ala Gly Phe 530 535 540 Asp Phe Ile Glu Val Phe Cys Asp Thr Pro Ile Glu Glu Cys Glu Lys 545 550 555 560 Arg Asp Pro Lys Gly Leu Tyr Ala Lys Ala Arg Ala Gly Glu Ile Thr 565 570 575 Gln Phe Thr Gly Ile Asp Ser Pro Tyr Gln Pro Pro Ala Lys Pro Asp 580 585 590 Leu Arg Leu Thr Pro Asp Gly Thr Val Glu Glu Gln Ala Gln Arg Val 595 600 605 Ile Asp Leu Leu Glu Ser Arg Gly 610 615 33 31 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 33 gatatacata tgagcggcga gacaaccagg c 31 34 28 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 34 gtggtgctcg agcgaggcgt gcaacccg 28 35 28 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 35 aaggggcata tgagcccgaa cacggtgc 28 36 36 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 36 aaggggctcg agttaagacg atgactccaa caggtc 36 37 30 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 37 ggggccatgg gtagcggcga gacaaccagg 30 38 35 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 38 ggggggatcc ctcgagttac gaggcgtgca acccg 35 39 28 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 39 ggggccatgg gtagcccgaa cacggtgc 28 40 32 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 40 gggccatggg gaccgacgtg acgacgtcaa cg 32 41 29 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 41 gggctcgagt cacgagacgt gcagcccgc 29 42 36 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 42 ggggaaccat gggtttaacg tatgataatt gggaag 36 43 29 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 43 ggggaactcg agttattcat gcagtccgc 29 44 39 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 44 gtgctggtgc ccgcgatcgg gccccttgct gagcaccgt 39 45 39 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 45 acggtgctca gcaaggggcc cgatcgcggg caccagcac 39 46 36 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 46 tattctatca agcttcacga gatcggcacc gatcag 36 47 36 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 47 agatcatagg taccgatcaa cccgatcgcg gcgtgg 36 48 36 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 48 cttattatgg taccctcgtc ggtccagcgc agcagc 36 49 37 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 49 tagataatgc ggccgccggt gtgtaggtgt tgaagtc 37 50 34 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 50 ggggttaatt aacatgagcg gcgagacaac cagg 34 51 26 DNA Artificial Sequence artificial primer 51 ggggggatcc cgaggcgtgc aacccg 26 52 6 PRT Artificial Sequence amino acid motif 52 Arg Tyr Tyr Glu Asp Leu 1 5 53 10 PRT Artificial Sequence amino acid motif 53 Cys Cys Xaa Xaa Xaa Lys Xaa Xaa Xaa Leu 1 5 10 54 4 PRT Artificial Sequence amino acid motif 54 Cys Xaa Xaa Cys 1 55 36 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic primer 55 tattctatca agcttcacga gatcggcacc gatcag 36 56 36 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic primer 56 agatcatagg taccgatcaa cccgatcgcg gcgtgg 36 57 36 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic primer 57 cttattatgg taccctcgtc ggtccagcgc agcagc 36 58 37 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic primer 58 tagataatgc ggccgccggt gtgtaggtgt tgaagtc 37 

What is claimed is:
 1. A genetically modified mycobacterium, wherein said genetically modified mycobacterium comprises a functionally disabled sulfation pathway gene, such that said sulfation pathway gene does not direct expression of a functional sulfation pathway polypeptide, wherein said genetically modified mycobacterium is avirulent.
 2. The mycobacterium of claim 1, wherein the mycobacterium has a functionally disabled APS reductase gene.
 3. The mycobacterium of claim 1, wherein the mycobacterium has a functionally disabled APS kinase gene.
 4. The mycobacterium of claim 1, wherein the mycobacterium has a functionally disabled sulfotransferase gene.
 5. The mycobacterium of claim 1, wherein the mycobacterium is M. tuberculosis.
 6. The mycobacterium of claim 1, wherein the LD₅₀ is at least about 10-fold higher than a wild-type mycobacterium of the same strain.
 7. The mycobacterium of claim 1, wherein the LD₅₀ is at least about 50-fold higher than a wild-type mycobacterium of the same strain.
 8. An immunogenic composition comprising a genetically modified mycobacterium according to claim 1; and a buffer.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a genetically modified mycobacterium according to claim 1; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 10. The composition of claim 9, further comprising an adjuvant.
 11. A kit comprising a sterile container comprising a genetically modified mycobacterium according to claim
 1. 12. The kit according to claim 11, wherein the sterile container comprises a unit dose of mycobacterium of from about 10² to about 10⁷ mycobacterium.
 13. The kit according to claim 11, wherein the mycobacteria are lyophilized.
 14. The kit according to claim 11, wherein the sterile container further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 15. The kit according to claim 11, wherein the sterile container further comprises an adjuvant.
 16. A method of increasing an immune response to a pathogenic mycobacterium in a host, comprising administering to the host an immunogenic composition according to claim
 8. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said administering is intramuscular.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein a protective immune response to a wild-type, virulent mycobacterium is induced.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the virulent mycobacterium is of the same species as the genetically modified mycobacterium.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the virulent mycobacterium is of a different species than the genetically modified mycobacterium.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for mycobacteria are induced.
 22. A genetically modified mycobacterium, wherein said genetically modified mycobacterium comprises a modified sulfation pathway gene, such that said sulfation pathway gene does not direct expression of a sulfation pathway polypeptide, wherein said genetically modified mycobacterium is avirulent. 